Energy Experts To Advise Two-Storm Panel

HARTFORD, Conn. — Energy experts from Connecticut and around the country will make presentations Wednesday to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's task force investigating the slow emergency response and prolonged record-setting power outages during Hurricane Irene and the historic October nor'easter.

"The issue at this meeting is how to strengthen the utility companies' infrastructure and make it more resilient," said Joseph McGee, co-chair of the Two-Storm Panel. "One of the best ways to mitigate storm damage is to strengthen and harden the existing infrastructure."

McGee, vice president of the Business Council of Fairfield County, said improving the infrastructure and establishing standards will greatly help because "when do have serious storms, either the power won't be lost, or at least if it is, it will come back more quickly."

The Two-Storm Panel will meet Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the legislative office building in Hartford for an all-day session.

The panel is holding the eighth of its nine hearings before preparing a final report with recommendations on how the state, power companies and local municipalities can better prepare for future weather disasters.

The report will be presented to Malloy in mid-January.

McGee said the panel will consider all options for improving the systems at Connecticut Light & Power Co. and United Illuminating Co., including more underground power lines. But he cautioned that is not the "magic solution" some people believe.

"People still lose power with underground systems, and many in Connecticut did. It's also far more expensive," said McGee. "But that doesn't mean we're ruling it out in some places."

The panel is scheduled to hear presentations from commissioners from the state Department of Transportation, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Department of Construction Services.

Erik S. Sonju, vice president of Power Delivery Planning & Design for Power Systems Engineering in Madison, Wis., will be among the energy experts making presentations before the panel. Lee S. Langston, professor emeritus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut, and Robert Thornton, president of the International District Energy Association, will also appear.

The panel will meet for its ninth and final hearing Dec. 15 at 10 a.m., also in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.