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Power crews will shift into "full restoration" mode on Thursday, with the priorites being emergency facilities and then "large blocks" of customers, said Bill Quinlan, CL&P's senior vice president for emergency preparedeness.
The company has been focused on removing downed wires and trees that can create a threat to public health and safety. It has also been compiling damage assessments of major circuits so that it knows which areas it needs to address first.
"That has given us a very good idea of what's in front of us," Quinlan said.
CL&P currently has 700 staff workers out, as well as more than 2,000 workers from out of state. There will be 550 more line and tree workers coming in tomorrow from out of state.
United Illumination has 850 line and tree workers out in its towns, and will likely have 1,000 by tomorrow. Like CL&P, they have been focusing on clearing trees and downed wires and assessing damage before they are able to move into full restoration.
CL&P has restored power to 350,000 customers so far, and still has 318,000 to go. It has energized 22,000 crtical facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations, and still has about 500 to go.
With Election Day on Tuesday, Gov. Dannel Malloy said that polling places have been identified as top priorities in power restoration. The state has been speaking with town clerks in more than 220 municipalities about making that they have what they need for the election.
"I am absolutely convinced that it is our obligation to somehow, someway run this election," Malloy said.
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