Jorge Cabrera

Sen. Cabrera Issues Statement on Eversource Seeking to Collect Millions of Dollars Spent on Tropical Storm Isaias from Ratepayers

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) released the following statement regarding recent news Eversource is seeking to recover millions of dollars from Connecticut ratepayers due to costs related to Tropical Storm Isaias. Sen. Cabrera represents three towns, Beacon Falls, Bethany and Naugatuck, that are in Eversource’s service area, and were adversely affected by the company’s slow response to the tropical storm.

“Eversource seeking to recover funds from Connecticut ratepayers after the companies’ poor response to Tropical Storm Isaias is entirely unacceptable,” said Sen. Cabrera. “Many across the state, and specifically in my district in Naugatuck, Beacon Falls and Bethany, were left without power for days due to the slow storm response from Eversource. This resulted in many, who had stockpiled groceries due to the pandemic, watching their food spoil and medications that required refrigeration go bad. The cost burden of Isaias should not fall on the shoulders of Eversource’s customers who suffered through days of miscommunication and a long-lasting power outage. During a time when some Connecticut residents and families are struggling financially, I find it incredibly inappropriate to expect them to foot the bill for Eversource’s errors. I urge the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to deny these costs being levied on Eversource’s customers.”

In 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias tore through Connecticut, leaving hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents without power. In certain parts of the state, some were without power for up to nine days. To address Eversource’s poor storm response, the General Assembly passed a bill which will require electric utility companies to pay customers a maximum of $250 for spoiled food and medication if a power outage lasts longer than four days. Additionally, for outages lasting longer than 96 hours, customers are to be credited $25 per day.

About Sen. Cabrera: The senator was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree in Political Science from Quinnipiac University. The senator is a business representative with UFCW Local 919 and has devoted the last 25 years fighting for working families across the 17th District and country. Sen. Cabrera is Senate Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Vice Chair of the Labor Committee.