Tag:

Tropical Storm Isaias

Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response
Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response Eversource is among the latest utility company to face millions in fines for its response during and after Tropical Storm Isaias. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) imposed a $29 million penalty against Eversource for what the company described as failures during the storm. Related story - NY Utility Companies Agree To Pay $86M In Settlements For Failed Isaias Response The fine comes the same week as four major utility companies in neighboring New York were hit with more than $86 million in fines for their response to Isaias. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who…
Eversource Investing $72 Million In Tree Trimming Across Connecticut Eversource Investing $72 Million In Tree Trimming Across Connecticut
Eversource Investing $72 Million In Tree Trimming Across Connecticut Following last year's devastation caused by Tropical Storm Isaias last year which brought down thousands of trees, Eversource is announcing a large tree maintenance program to be ready for the summer storms. In 2021, the energy company will be investing approximately $72 million in tree trimming and hazardous tree removal to enhance reliability for customers throughout Connecticut, company officials said. The company is also encouraging customers to maintain trees on their own property that can interfere with electric lines or equipment. “As we saw last summer during some severe storms, tr…
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is calling on Eversource to pay penalties and for damages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias last summer. Calling Eversource’s failure to communicate and protect public safety during and after the storm “imprudent,” Tong said that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) should mandate consumer credits and make all findings necessary to levy penalties. Last August, Isaias left more than 100,000 Eversource customers without power for several days, some more than week, which drew the ire of Tong and other elected officials in Connecticut. Accor…
Higher Eversource, United Illuminating Service Charges Spark Confusion Among CT Customers Higher Eversource, United Illuminating Service Charges Spark Confusion Among CT Customers
Higher Eversource, United Illuminating Service Charges Spark Confusion Among CT Customers Eversource customers in Connecticut are opening their monthly bills to find an increase in the service charge. Increased charges that were approved by Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in November of 2020, went into effect on Friday, Jan. 1. The hikes were okayed for Eversource as well as United Illuminating residential and business customers. Customers are just now beginning to see the effects of the change The increase for residential Eversource is in its generation service charge which went from *7.37 cents per kilowatt-hour to 8.39. There are more than 1.26 mil…
Eversource Says Prolonged Drought Led To Downed Trees Saturated By Storm Eversource Says Prolonged Drought Led To Downed Trees Saturated By Storm
Eversource Says Prolonged Drought Led To Downed Trees Saturated By Storm A recent drought coupled with this week’s storms attributed to the downed trees and power lines that left thousands in Connecticut without power overnight. Eversource officials said that hundreds of crews worked through the night to restore power to more than 37,000 customers, though more than 7,000 of the utility company’s 1,281,966 Connecticut customers were still in the dark as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Earlier story - Storm Knocks Out Powers To Thousands In Connecticut Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom said that the tough conditions - on …
Eversource Removing Storm-Damaged Trees Across Connecticut Eversource Removing Storm-Damaged Trees Across Connecticut
Eversource Removing Storm-Damaged Trees Across Connecticut After over 10,000 trees toppled in July and August due to Tropical Storm Isaias and a damaging microburst, energy company Eversource is urging Connecticut homeowners to keep an eye out for precarious trees near power lines and to support their hazardous tree removal program.  Since those storms, the company said, they have removed hundreds of storm-damaged trees to prevent further power outages. “Trees are the number one cause of power outages and removing these trees is critical, especially with fierce storms happening more frequently,"  said Eversource Vegetation Management…
Bill Requiring Food, Medicine Reimbursement Would Cause Higher Bills, Says Eversource Bill Requiring Food, Medicine Reimbursement Would Cause Higher Bills, Says Eversource
Bill Requiring Food, Medicine Reimbursement Would Cause Higher Bills, Says Eversource Under a new bill, Connecticut residents could be reimbursed up to $1,000 for spoiled food and medicine due to long power outages, but Eversource says that protection may come at a high price to customers. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Eversource CEO Jim Judge responded to criticism that the power company took too long to restore electricity to many parts of Connecticut following the August Tropical STorm Isaias. Some customers waited 9 days for power to return. The proposed Connecticut bill would give the state’s Public Utilities Regulation Administration (PURA) the authority to require power compa…
Isaias: Lawmakers Lambaste Eversource At Hearing Isaias: Lawmakers Lambaste Eversource At Hearing
Isaias: Lawmakers Lambaste Eversource At Hearing Eversource was read the riot act by Connecticut lawmakers during a hearing regarding recent rate hikes and the company’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias. Members of the state legislative Energy & Technology Committee grilled Eversource officials, including CEO Jim Judge on Thursday, Aug. 27 after some in Connecticut were left without power for more than a week. Elected officials questioned Judge on the company’s response to the storm, its lack of preparation, and the broken down communications that happened during the storm, when thousands of customers were unable to get accurat…
Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams
Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams Connecticut residents have been cautioned to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters taking advantage in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. State Attorney General William Tong issued an alert this week warning that residents should be aware of tree removal, power restoration, or other repair scams in areas still without power or where heavy damage resulted from the storm. Tong said that after past significant storms and weather events, Connecticut residents have reported individuals, some claiming to work for utility companies, going door to door offering to reconnect electric power, repair ro…
Isaias: Optimum Customers Will Get Credit For Lost Internet Service Following Storm Isaias: Optimum Customers Will Get Credit For Lost Internet Service Following Storm
Isaias: Optimum Customers Will Get Credit For Lost Internet Service Following Storm Optimum customers who lost internet service due to Tropical Storm Isaias will receive a credit, the company announced. "Tropical Storm Isaias was one of the most powerful storms to strike the Northeast in years and our crews have been working around the clock to repair damage and restore your service as power returns," the company said in a statement. "We appreciate your patience and will be providing a credit for the time that your Optimum service was not available when power was restored.  "There is no need to request this credit, we will simply apply it to your account in the next s…
There Are Two Tropical Storms In Atlantic: Here's Where Josephine, Newly Named Kyle Are Headed There Are Two Tropical Storms In Atlantic: Here's Where Josephine, Newly Named Kyle Are Headed
There Are Two Tropical Storms In Atlantic: Here's Where Josephine, Newly Named Kyle Are Headed There are now two tropical storms n the Atlantic Ocean, and they're heading in different directions. The National Hurricane Center announced on Thursday, Aug. 13 that it upgraded Tropical Depression Eleven to Tropical Storm Josephine. On Friday, Aug. 14, Kyle became the 11th named tropical system of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Unlike Josephine, it is well offshore and poses no threat to the East Coast. Josephine's center as of Saturday morning, Aug. 15, is located over the Atlantic Ocean about 310 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the area where t…
Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages
Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages Despite calls to reimburse customers for costs incurred due to power outages after Tropical Storm Isaias barreled through the region, Eversource and United Illuminating are showing resistance to complying. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Gov. Ned Lamont both demanded the company reimburse customers, Eversource has thus far been reluctant to provide relief, despite utility companies in neighboring states reimbursing for prescription medication and food that spoiled during the storm cleanup. "Eversource and UI need to do the right thing as ConEd has done in New York and reimbur…
New Tropical Storm In Atlantic: Latest Projected Five-Day Track Released For Josephine New Tropical Storm In Atlantic: Latest Projected Five-Day Track Released For Josephine
New Tropical Storm In Atlantic: Latest Projected Five-Day Track Released For Josephine A new projected track has been released for the tropical storm that just formed in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center announced on Thursday, Aug. 13 that it upgraded Tropical Depression Eleven to Tropical Storm Josephine. On Friday morning, Aug. 14, Josephine's center is located over the Atlantic Ocean about 680 miles (1090 km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, the area where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean. It's moving toward the west-northwest at about 17 miles per hour with that general motion expected to continue fo…
New Tropical Storm Forms In Atlantic: Here's Projected Five-Day Path New Tropical Storm Forms In Atlantic: Here's Projected Five-Day Path
New Tropical Storm Forms In Atlantic: Here's Projected Five-Day Path A new tropical storm has just formed in the open Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center announced at around midday on Thursday, Aug. 13 that it has upgraded Tropical Depression Eleven to Tropical Storm Josephine. Hurricane turned Tropical Storm Isaias (pronounced "ees-ah-EE-ahs") became the earliest storm to begin with an "I" on record. The previous record was set on Aug. 7, 2005. The first hurricane of the 2020 season, Hannah, became the earliest storm with an "H" name by nearly two weeks. Tropical Storm Josephine marks the earliest appearance of the "J' storm since the satellite e…
Isaias: Hundreds Remain Without Power In Fairfield County Nine Days After Tropical Storm Isaias: Hundreds Remain Without Power In Fairfield County Nine Days After Tropical Storm
Isaias: Hundreds Remain Without Power In Fairfield County Nine Days After Tropical Storm Hundreds in Fairfield County are still without power eight days after Tropical Storm Isaias rocked the East Coast. As of 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, more than 400 Connecticut residents were still without power as Eversource continues efforts to make repairs across the state more than a week after the storm struck. United Illuminating reported that each of its 337,528 Connecticut customers have had the power restored. Communities in Connecticut with the highest number of outages are:  Greenwich (56), Wilton (50), Westport (32), Redding (18), Newtown (18), New Canaan (18), Oxford …
Isaias: Danbury Mayor Threatens To Sue Eversource, Citing 'Incompetence,' 'Neglect' Isaias: Danbury Mayor Threatens To Sue Eversource, Citing 'Incompetence,' 'Neglect'
Isaias: Danbury Mayor Threatens To Sue Eversource, Citing 'Incompetence,' 'Neglect' Nearly all Connecticut residents have had their power restored more than a week after Tropical Storm Isaias, but Eversource may have an even larger threat looming on the horizon. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton is among Connecticut politicians critical of Eversource’s response to the storm, threatening legal action and a cap to CEO and executives' compensation at the company. Boughton said it’s time to “break up a monopoly that doesn’t work,” while claiming “incompetence and neglect” on Eversource’s behalf. “Eversource doing a victory lap this morning is laughable,” he said. “It's like setting…
New Isaias Outage Update: Full Restoration Nearly Complete More Than Week After Storm New Isaias Outage Update: Full Restoration Nearly Complete More Than Week After Storm
New Isaias Outage Update: Full Restoration Nearly Complete More Than Week After Storm It took more than a week, but nearly every Fairfield County resident has now finally had power restored following the wreckage of Tropical Storm Isaias. Utilizing more than 2,500 line and tree crews working nonstop to repair the damage and restore remaining outages following Isaias, crews restored power to more than 58,000 customers overnight. As of Wednesday, Aug. 12, just 1,262 of Eversource’s 1,281,332 customers were still without power. Another 23 United Illuminating customers were also reporting outages. Outages were still reported in:  Danbury: 246 (0.66 percent of custom…
COVID-19: First Fines For Violating CT Travel Advisory Issued COVID-19: First Fines For Violating CT Travel Advisory Issued
Covid-19: First Fines For Violating CT Travel Advisory Issued The first fines for travelers coming into Connecticut and violating the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for mandate due to COVID-19 have been issued by state officials. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that one person returning to Connecticut from Louisiana, and another from Florida - both states with high COVID-19 infection rates - were fined for failing to fill out travel forms. Each of the fines was $1,000. One person also refused to quarantine and was levied another $1,000 fine. Related story - COVID-19: Travelers From More States, Virgin Islands Added To NY/NJ/CT Quarantin…
New Isaias Outage Update: Latest Breakdown By Town In Fairfield County New Isaias Outage Update: Latest Breakdown By Town In Fairfield County
New Isaias Outage Update: Latest Breakdown By Town In Fairfield County Power has been restored to thousands in Connecticut, but more than 30,000 are still waiting for crews to make repairs a week after Tropical Storm Isaias struck Fairfield County. As of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 30,634 of Eversource’s 1,281,332 Connecticut customers were still waiting to have their power turned back on. An additional 174 United Illuminating customers were also dealing with outages. In Fairfield County, Eversource customers were still reporting outages in: Danbury: 4,617 (12.32 percent of customers); Ridgefield: 3,244 (29.52 percent of customers); Newtown: 2,271 (19.82 pe…
'I'm Going To Hold Eversource's Feet To The Fire,' Says Lamont Who Tours Danbury, Westport 'I'm Going To Hold Eversource's Feet To The Fire,' Says Lamont Who Tours Danbury, Westport
'I'm Going To Hold Eversource's Feet To The Fire,' Says Lamont Who Tours Danbury, Westport Lawmakers in Connecticut are threatening to bring the heat on Eversource its slow response to Tropical Storm Isaias. As of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 69,166 of Eversource’s 1,281,332 Connecticut customers were still reporting outages six days after the storm struck. UI was still responding to 492 reported outages that were affecting 1,429 of the customer’s 337,496 customers. 
“We have a serious situation developing at the Glen Apartments on Memorial Drive,” Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said. “Still no power. Many residents there are elderly and/or disabled. So far Eversource has not respo…
Isaias Outage Update: New Breakdown By Town Of Customers Without Power In Fairfield County Isaias Outage Update: New Breakdown By Town Of Customers Without Power In Fairfield County
Isaias Outage Update: New Breakdown By Town Of Customers Without Power In Fairfield County Thousands in Fairfield County remain without power nearly a week after Tropical Storm Isaias tore through the East Coast. As of 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, 88,499 of Eversource’s 1,281,332 Connecticut customers were still reporting outages. United Illuminating crews were also working to repair 917 outages that were impacting a total of 2,754 customers in Connecticut. Power was restored to thousands in Connecticut over the weekend but thousands more remain in the dark following the wreckage caused by Tropical Isaias. In Fairfield County, Eversource customers were still reporting outage…
Isaias: Optimum Provides Outage Update Isaias: Optimum Provides Outage Update
Isaias: Optimum Provides Outage Update After receiving a cacophony of complaints from angry customers due to its response to Tropical Storm Isaias, Optimum has provided an update for residents still without service in the wake of the storm. Isaias shook the East Coast toppled trees and limbs onto power lines and utility poles, leaving hundreds of thousands in a lurch as they lost electricity and cellular services. In the days following the storm, there has been a bevy of complaints coming from power-provider and Internet/WiFi customers who are eager to get back to normal while still combating the COVID-19 crisis. Many have not…
Tornado In Westport Confirmed During Tropical Storm Isaias Tornado In Westport Confirmed During Tropical Storm Isaias
Tornado In Westport Confirmed During Tropical Storm Isaias Reports of a tornado touching down in coastal Fairfield County from the Long Island Sound during the height of Tropical Storm Isaias have proven to be accurate. The National Weather Service confirmed late Friday afternoon, Aug. 7 that a storm cell produced a waterspout off the ocean that made landfall as an EF-1 tornado in the Saugatuck section of Westport at about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. EF-1 tornadoes are the second-lowest level twisters, but still pack estimated maximum winds of between 86 and 110 miles per hour. The twister did not last long, traveling only about 50 yards …
Isaias: Residents, Officials Demanding Answers On Eversource Storm Response Isaias: Residents, Officials Demanding Answers On Eversource Storm Response
Isaias: Residents, Officials Demanding Answers On Eversource Storm Response More voices are calling for an internal investigation into Eversource’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias in Connecticut. With hundreds of thousands of Eversource customers still reporting outages days after the storm rocked the East Coast, officials and residents alike are demanding answers from the utility company. “Eversource has failed to demonstrate adequate preparation ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias, its response effort so far has been abysmal, and they inexplicably continue to fail to communicate anything of any substance to my administration or the public,” Stamford Mayor David Mar…
Isaias: Optimum Provides Update On Outage Isaias: Optimum Provides Update On Outage
Isaias: Optimum Provides Update On Outage After receiving a cacophony of complaints from angry customers due to its response to Tropical Storm Isaias, Optimum has provided an update for residents still without service in the wake of the storm. Isaias shook the East Coast toppled trees and limbs onto power lines and utility poles, leaving hundreds of thousands in a lurch as they lost electricity and cellular services. In the days following the storm, there has been a bevy of complaints coming from power-provider and Internet/WiFi customers who are eager to get back to normal while still combating the COVID-19 crisis. Many have not…
Isaias Outage Update: Estimated Restoration Times; Fairfield County Communities Most Affected Isaias Outage Update: Estimated Restoration Times; Fairfield County Communities Most Affected
Isaias Outage Update: Estimated Restoration Times; Fairfield County Communities Most Affected Some Connecticut residents may be without power throughout the weekend, as utility crews continue working to repair the damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias. Despite calling in outside contractors and working around the clock to restore power, Eversource is estimating that storm restoration will not be “substantially complete” until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11. According to Eversource, more than 700 crews are working to repair the widespread damage to the electric system caused by Isaias. A “significant” number of additional out-of-state mutual aid crews are arriving Friday, Aug. 7. A…
Isaias: CT To Investigate Eversource, UI Storm Preparations, Performance Isaias: CT To Investigate Eversource, UI Storm Preparations, Performance
Isaias: CT To Investigate Eversource, UI Storm Preparations, Performance Utility companies in Connecticut are going to be investigated for their muted response to Tropical Storm Isaias as thousands remain without power days after whipping winds took down trees and power lines. Crews have been working around the clock to make repairs on thousands of reported outages that left hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents in the dark, many of whom were unable to get in contact with their utility companies. More than 700,000 Connecticut residents were left without power after Tropical Storm Isaias, Eversource, and United Illuminating reported. There were multiple…
Isaias New Power Outage Update: These Fairfield County Communities Are Most Affected Isaias New Power Outage Update: These Fairfield County Communities Are Most Affected
Isaias New Power Outage Update: These Fairfield County Communities Are Most Affected More than 40 percent of Eversource’s 1,281,259 Connecticut customers remain in the dark days after Tropical Storm Isaias swiftly swept through the East Coast. Two days after the storm tore through the region, bringing down trees and power lines, 533,439 in Connecticut remain without power as of midday Thursday, Aug. 6 as Eversource crews work around the clock to make repairs. In Fairfield County, outages were still being reported in: Danbury: 15,566; Norwalk: 12,497; Westport: 12,258; Greenwich: 8,732; Ridgefield: 7,830; Newtown: 7,358; Stamford: 6,823; Monroe: 6,650; New Canaan: 5,965; B…
Relief: Eversource Agrees To Temporarily Drop Rate Hikes Relief: Eversource Agrees To Temporarily Drop Rate Hikes
Relief: Eversource Agrees To Temporarily Drop Rate Hikes Amid mounting customer complaints and an investigation launched by the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Eversource is giving its customers a break on their bills. By Friday, Aug. 7, Eversource said it would temporarily roll-back increases to four rates that went into effect on July 1. The company also cited the negative economic impact COVID-19 has had on many people as another reason for the rollback. “In light of PURA’s order and based on the fact that many of our customers are experiencing an unprecedented financial hardship due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandem…
Isaias: NY, CT Both Declare States Of Emergency Isaias: NY, CT Both Declare States Of Emergency
Isaias: NY, CT Both Declare States Of Emergency After being devastated by Tropical Storm Isaias, New York, and Connecticut have both declared a State of Emergency as they recover from the wreckage of the storm. With hundreds of thousands of New York and Connecticut residents possibly being stuck in the dark for days due to outages, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Ned Lamont, respectively, announced that their states will be entering a State of Emergency effective Wednesday, Aug. 5. There are more than 700,000 outages still being reported in both states more than 24 hours after the storm sent power lines, poles, and trees flying with wind gus…
Isaias: All But Eight Customers Are Without Power In This CT Town Isaias: All But Eight Customers Are Without Power In This CT Town
Isaias: All But Eight Customers Are Without Power In This CT Town Some communities were hit harder than others when Tropical Storm Isaias ravaged the region. In Connecticut, in the town of Roxbury, in Litchfield County, all but eight of Eversource’s 1,352 customers were reporting outages more than 24 hours after the storm struck, among the hardest-hit areas in Connecticut. Related story - Isaias: NY, CT Both Declare States Of Emergency As of late Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 5, 99.41 of Eversource’s customers in Roxbury were still reporting outages, the second-largest percentage across the state, behind only Andover, where all 1,430 of the utility comp…