PURA to release final CL&P decision on storm costs

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — State regulators are expected to issue a final decision on whether to reject Connecticut Light & Power's request to recover the utility's storm costs and reduce its profits.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is due to issue the decision on Wednesday.

A recent draft decision by regulators criticized CL&P for its handling of the outages and its preparations for two destructive storms last year, calling it "deficient and inadequate." PURA said the utility's performance will be a factor in requests for rate increases.

Specifically, PURA said CL&P failed to adequately prepare workers, support its municipal liaison program and communicate with customers when power would be restored.