CL&P crews restore power for most customers

About 3,100 of Connecticut Light & Power Co.'s 1.2 million customers remained without power Friday, almost a full week after last weekend's severe storm.

But by today, "those that can be restored will be restored," said Jeff Tilghman, a CL&P spokesman.

At 5 p.m., Greenwich still had the bulk of customers without power, with smaller numbers in Stamford and Norwalk, he said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell had expressed frustration Thursday that power wasn't fully restored to everyone. On Friday, she announced that residents who receive food stamps can get replacement benefits if their food had been spoiled because of the storm outages. The deadline for calling the 2-1-1 Infoline is April 2.

Outages fluctuated throughout the day Friday, Tilghman explained, because power had to be cut in some cases to makes repairs before turning people's electricity back on.

"It's been a Herculean task in very difficult conditions," Jeff Butler, CL&P president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We appreciate everyone's patience."

Tens of thousands of customers of CL&P and United Illuminating had experienced power outages after the harsh wind and rain storm that began last Saturday. UI finished restoring power to its customers Wednesday, a spokeswoman said, and was helping CL&P at the governor's request.

Earlier in the week, Rell ordered two state agencies to investigate the delays incurred by CL&P and UI in responding to public officials' concerns during and after the storm, as well as the delays in restoring power to customers. The state Department of Public Utility Control, which is leading Rell's investigation, is also examining storm-related costs and restoration performance as part of CL&P's current rate case.

On Thursday, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he was conducting his own investigation, which would complement Rell's probe.

Staff at 2-1-1 Infoline will work with the Connecticut Department of Social Services' Bridgeport, Stamford and Danbury offices by referring the information needed to replenish food benefits to offset spoilage losses in March.

Customers still without power should call CL&P at 1-800-286-2000. For hazardous conditions, such as dangling tree limbs, trees on trees or damaged wires, call 9-1-1

The company is also investigating and prioritizing requests to remove downed trees, but noted that storm related tree cleanup not involving the electrical system is the responsibility of the property owner.

p.daddona@theday.com