CL&P Makes Solid Progress in Restoring Customers Affected by March Nor’easter
Service already back for more than 81,000
Berlin, CT - March 16, 2010 – Since a major nor’easter hit the region on Saturday, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) has been working around the clock and has restored service to more than 81,000 customers. With winds diminishing, crews are expected to make significant progress in restoring the remaining 40,000 customers who are still without power.
With about 1,400 trouble spots remaining, previous CL&P restoration estimates are being updated to reflect actual on-site assessments which have been completed in all areas except for some parts of Greenwich. This assessment is particularly challenging in Greenwich where 42 tree crews are clearing paths through tree-clogged streets before line crews can begin restoring electric service.
Projections call for 99 percent of restoration to be completed for Wilton, Redding and Weston by Tuesday (3/16) night, for Darien, Norwalk, Westport and New Canaan by Wednesday (3/17) night and for Greenwich and Stamford by Thursday (3/18) night. All remaining customers are projected to be restored within 48 hours of the 99 percent completion estimate.
To speed the process, the resources dedicated to this restoration have been increased to more than 300 lines crews, 130 tree crews and hundreds of support personnel working out of mobile satellite operation locations from Westport to Greenwich. We continue to reach out to neighboring utilities and contractors for additional crews to help with the restoration effort.
Because this is a multi-day effort, crews are being scheduled for 16-hour shifts followed by an eight-hour rest period, which helps ensure the safety of all workers. For the majority of the crews, the 16-hour shift includes all daylight hours which aides in our restoration effort. However, resources continue to be available around the clock to continue the restoration effort and respond to emergency and emerging situations.
Safety First
We continue supporting state and municipal workers’ efforts to safely re-open roads. CL&P has responded to over 500 emergency 911 calls since the storm began.
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is improving the environments you live in, by offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.