Carter Calls for Improved Communication, Training to Deal with Future Storm Responses

HARTFORD — A legislative hearing about how utility companies prepared for and reacted to tropical storm Irene earlier this month provided ideas that will improve their responses to future storms, state Rep. Dan Carter said today. 

Carter, a member of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, participated in a joint hearing on the subject at the Capitol. He was joined by several other state legislators as well as utility company representatives and municipal leaders.

Redding and Bethel—communities represented by Carter—were hit particularly hard by Irene, with road closures caused by downed trees proving to be a significant problem.

“I think there were a lot of lessons learned from Irene,” said Carter, who also represents sections of Danbury. “Poor communication, in many cases, exacerbated the storm’s impact.” 

Aside from experiencing it himself, Carter heard from constituents who told him updates from utility power crews often differed from those provided by utility tree crews. 

“Many residents, already frustrated by a lack of electricity, were left confused by conflicting statements from folks out there to help them,” he said.

Utility company representatives said Connecticut is the second most treed state in the nation, and that downed trees proved to be their biggest hurdle.  

Carter suggested that utility companies make a greater effort to train and then use local, privately-owned tree crews in situations similar to the aftermath of Irene.

He also said utility companies should place greater emphasis on identifying trees most susceptible to storm damage, and suggested that municipalities make a push to notify companies about trees their public works crews believe could cause problems in the future.

Carter said he looks forward to a similar Sept. 26 hearing where residents can share their ideas, thoughts and concerns.