Former FEMA director hired by Gov. Malloy to review response to power outages

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday (Nov. 4) that Witt Associates, a consulting firm led by former FEMA Director under President Bill Clinton, James Lee Witt, will conduct an independent review of both CL&P and UI and their response to the October Storm Alfred.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday (Nov. 4) that Witt Associates, a consulting firm led by former FEMA Director under President Bill Clinton, James Lee Witt, will conduct an independent review of both CL&P and UI and their response to the October Storm Alfred.

James Lee Witt is the Chief Operating Officer of Witt Associates, a consulting firm that focuses on public safety and crisis management from mitigation to preparedness, response and recovery.

What’s been called Winter Storm Alfred – though it arrived during the time of the year when most people are displaying pumpkins and Halloween decorations, and haven’t begun to think about Thanksgiving dinner, yet – dumped as much as 20 inches of snow on some parts of the state and knocked out power to upwards of 830,000 residents at its peak.

As of Friday, according to an update given by CL&P President Jeff Butler, power has now been restored to 585,000 customers, with approximately 283,000 customers coping with their sixth night without heat or lights.

Butler, speaking at the evening press conference held at the state Emergency Operations Center, said that between 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, he expects another 100,000 customers to have their power restored.

Butler said CL&P continues to bring in more crews from out-of-state. As of Friday, he said, there were 1,802 line and tree crews at work – this in addition to members of the CT National Guard who are helping clear roads of debris, CT Department of Public Works employees, and towns’ own public works employees.

On Saturday, more than 300 additional crews will be in towns working on trees limbs, clearing roads and reconnecting service, Butler said.

In total, he said, there are approximately 6,000 CL&P employees working on restoring power.

Butler also reaffirmed his promise that 99 percent of customers in all 149 of Connecticut’s towns will have power restored by midnight this Sunday, Nov. 6.

Butler also fielded questions from reporters who challenged his claim that communications between the utility company and towns have been more timely and have been providing accurate information, which he has said is a lesson learned from this August’s Tropical Storm Irene.

One reporter stated that a CL&P employee told him that a CL&P crew that was supposed to work on a specific area in cooperation with Tolland Public Works employees didn’t show up.

Butler said 218 crews were in the Tolland area Friday, and that he was unaware of this snafu, but would investigate.

He also was asked if CL&P has refused help from crews with nonunion workers. Butler replied, “That is absolutely not true.”

Butler also has been repeatedly questioned about CL&P’s reported failure to pay some contractors who were hired to help with recovery after Tropical Storm Irene, which lead to inadequate numbers of crews available to deal with the immediate aftermath of Storm Alfred, which pounded the Northeast on Oct. 29.

Butler responded that invoices need to be reviewed according to a standard procedure and that to his knowledge, all invoices have been paid.

These and many other claims will be examined by Witt Associates, and Gov. Malloy said Friday he expects to have the firm’s report in hand by Dec. 1, 2011 – and at no cost to the state. The company is providing this service pro bono, Gov. Malloy said.

The governor responded to many reporters questions by saying, “As soon as everyone’s lights are back on, we need to have a very timely, thorough review of the power companies’ performances, to identify what went wrong, why it went wrong, and most importantly, identify solutions for the short-term before the next winter storm impacts Connecticut.”

“Witt Associates has a body of experience that is second to none. James and his colleagues have worked on the state and federal level and they understand how critical it is to conduct this review quickly and thoroughly. I appreciate his offer to help us,” Gov. Malloy said.

According to a press release issued Friday by the governor’s office, James Lee Witt has more than 25 years of disaster management experience, culminating in his appointment as the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he served from 1993-2001.

As FEMA Director, Witt coordinated federal disaster relief on behalf of President Clinton, including the response and recovery activities of 28 federal agencies and departments, the American Red Cross, and other voluntary agencies.

He also oversaw the National Flood Insurance Program, the U.S. Fire Administration, and other pro-active mitigation activities that reduce loss of life and property from all types of hazards, the release states.

Prior to his service at FEMA, Witt led the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services, a position he held for four years, the release states.

Posted Nov. 4, 2011

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Columbia Ford partners with E.O. Smith for Drive One 4 UR School

To date, Ford dealerships and local communities across the country have helped raise more than $7 million for high schools through partnership with the Drive One 4 UR School program. Photo source: Drive One 4 UR School Facebook page

On Saturday, Nov. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. Columbia Ford and E.O. Smith High School are partnering for Ford’s Drive One 4 UR School event.

At this fun event, members of the local community can support E.O. Smith High School’s students simply by taking a test drive in any brand new Ford vehicle. There’s no obligation attached to the test drive.

The event takes place at the Columbia Ford dealership at 234 Route 6 in Columbia (860-228-2886).

For every test drive taken, Ford Motor Company and Columbia Ford will donate $20, up to $6,000, to the Football Booster Club for much needed equipment.

Every year, more and more arts, music and sports programs are cut due to budgetary constraints. This fundraising event is a unique way to fill some of those financial gaps.

To date, Ford dealerships and local communities across the country have helped raised more than $7 million for high schools through partnership with the Drive One 4 UR School program.

For directions to Columbia Ford, click here.

Posted Nov. 2, 2011

Related link: Ford’s Drive One 4 UR school Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/DriveOne4URSchool

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Department of Motor Vehicles extends some deadlines because of October snowstorm

The DMV is also extending some deadlines for renewing driver’s licenses, non-driver ID cards, vehicle registrations and other credentials expiring October 29 through November 10. They remain valid during that time period, but must be renewed by November 10.

Three Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles offices remain closed because of outages and other problems following the Oct. 29 Winter Storm Alfred. Those three are Enfield, New Britain and Winsted. (Click here to find others offices for DMV services.)

The DMV also issued a press release announcing it is extending some deadlines for renewing driver’s licenses, non-driver ID cards, vehicle registrations and other credentials expiring Oct. 29 through Nov. 10, 2011.

These remain valid during that time period, but must be renewed by Nov. 10.

Law enforcement will be notified about these extensions.

These extensions include the time needed to comply with emissions inspections. Customers are advised to check with their garage to see if they are currently conducting emissions testing.

In addition, late fees for both expiring credentials and emissions tests will be waived during this period only through Thursday, Nov. 10. (Late-fee waivers do not cover expirations prior to Oct. 29.)

All late fees are once again effective as of Friday, Nov. 11.

The CT DMV also reports other service-related issues due to last weekend’s storm:

• As of Tuesday evening (Nov. 1), DMV’s Wethersfield office was on limited power and not accessible to disabled people due to a non-functioning elevator.

• DMV’s call center cannot accept telephone calls for in-person assistance, but recorded automated information is available. Customers can call 860-263-5700 (within Hartford area or outside Connecticut) or 1-800-842-8222 (elsewhere in Connecticut) or visit http://ct.gov/dmv

• In the Wethersfield DMV office only, all road tests scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2, have been cancelled. Customers can reschedule road tests by contacting DMV’s call center once it has returned to full operation. (see above note)

• AAA’s Enfield and Plainville locations will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 2, and therefore will not be providing driver’s license and non-driver ID card renewal service.

For the latest updates regarding DMV services, please visit the agency’s website at http://ct.gov/dmv

Posted Nov. 2, 2011

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Connecticut will have distribution centers for food, water

Boxes of “Meals Ready to Eat” from FEMA that were distributed in East Haddam, CT after Tropical Storm Irene. Photo by Jean Maheu 2011©HTNP.com

With federal recognition of Connecticut as coping with a “disaster,” following the record-breaking “Snowtober” Storm Alfred, supplies of ready-to-eat meals, drinking water and other commodities should be coming into the state soon, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said during a morning update on storm recovery efforts.

Supplies will be made available to those in need through regional distribution centers, particularly those hardest hit by prolonged power outages, he said. The locations have not been finalized yet.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate disaster relief efforts. Gov. Malloy noted that some FEMA teams are still here from when they were sent to Connecticut following Tropical Storm Irene.

The governor also added two more Winter Storm Alfred fatalities to a list that now totals 4. An 80-year-old Enfield woman was found dead today after succumbing to carbon-monoxide fumes emitted by a grill used inside the home.

Another Enfield resident was killed when the ATV he was driving came in contact with live, downed wires, Gov. Malloy said.

Previously, two people were killed in a car accident during the Saturday’s storm.

Gov. Malloy underscored the need for residents without power to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. “Do not bring any motor into your house that is powered by anything other than electricity,” he said.

He also reported that 54 overnight shelters took in 4,000 people yesterday, and that a number of warming centers have opened around the state. (An updated list is available by calling 2-1-1 or by checking online at www.211ct.org )

Addressing the issue of long lines at the gas pumps yesterday, Gov. Malloy said the problem isn’t due to a gas shortage but because many stations had to close because they were without power – and this meant more demand at those stations that were open. He noted that suppliers have been trucking in fuel to those stations.

In an update of transportation services, Gov. Malloy said Bradley International Airport is running on generator power and is keeping to a mostly regular schedule.

Commenting on progress made toward restoring power, Bill Reese of United Illuminating (UI) said that electricity was back on in 48,000 homes served by UI, with 4,200 customers he expected to have power restored sometime today.

Later, CL&P reported that UI had completed restoring power to those 4,2000 customers and so UI is sending its 170 crews to help CL&P customers.

Gov. Malloy also later reported that crews that were scheduled to come from other states have been remiss in doing so, a subject he would take up with the Federal Energy Department and Congressman Larson this afternoon.

He also planned to meet with municipal representatives around noon.

CL&P President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Butler also spoke briefly at this morning’s press conference. He said he understands the frustration of customers who just two months ago endured prolonged power outages after Tropical Storm Irene. And, to go through two significant storms in two months, “certainly is something I haven’t dealt with in my career,” Butler said.

He added that one of the lessons of Tropical Storm Irene is the importance of providing the public with accurate and up-to-date information.

CL&P has posted a regularly updated map of outages and today, added a power restoration forecasts for most of the state.

Those towns currently not showing up on the forecasts are areas where blocked roads and downed wires are still being surveyed, according to a message Tweeted by CL&P this afternoon.

Butler said he expects all 149 towns served by CL&P to be on the list by Wednesday afternoon.

As of this morning, CL&P had 770 total crews working on restoring power – 486 line crews and 284 tree crews.

CL&P’s priorities have been working with the state and towns to clear roads, restoring power to “critical” customers (i.e. those reliant on medical equipment in their homes), and getting power to business centers where there are gas stations, grocery stores and other needed services.

The Associated Press is also reporting that a number of cell phone towers remain out of service since the storm because they also lost electric power. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told reporters yesterday that about 200 cell phone towers in Connecticut are damaged and will not be repaired soon.

The AP story states that an AT&T spokesman said generators and technicians are being dispatched to provide backup power.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman is expected to give another update at 6 p.m., which will be televised on local news stations.

Posted Nov. 1, 2011

Northeastern part of Connecticut may have longest wait for power restoration

As of Monday evening, weather forecasters were predicting a warming trend, with temperatures in most of the state climbing up to the mid- and upper 50s. However, the forecast is for temperatures to begin to drop again as of Friday.

According to restoration projections released this morning by Connecticut Light and Power, many towns in this part of the state may have to until as long as Saturday and Sunday before their lights are turned on.

The projections show the shoreline towns to be in much better shape, with many 99 percent restored as of today.

In the HTNP.com readership area, CL&P has made the following projects for restoring 99 percent of power:

Columbia – Sunday, Nov. 6 by noon

Coventry – no info

East Haddam – Friday, Nov. 4 by 6 p.m.

East Hampton – Saturday, Nov. 5 by 6 p.m.

Hebron – Saturday, Nov. 5 by 6 p.m.

Mansfield/Storrs – Sunday, Nov. 6 by 6 p.m.

Willington – no info

Windham/Willimantic – Tuesday, Nov. 1 by 6 p.m.

To monitor the projections as they are updated daily, click on this link http://www.cl-p.com/stormcenter/estimates

To check the updated outage map (and on the right, there’s a link for outage details by town) click this link http://outage.cl-p.com/outage/outagemap.aspx This list is refreshed every half hour.

Among HTNP.com readership towns, Windham was the least affected by power outages. At its peak, the total was about 14 percent of CL&P customers. As of this morning, CL&P reports 0.79 percent of customers – 83 out of 10,450 – were still without power and according to the restoration projections, they should be taken care of by noon today.

One of the hardest hit in our readership area was the rural town of Willington. There is no projected restoration information for that town, but according to CL&P’s outage map/details, 89 percent of the town is still without electricity, or 2,583 out of a total of 2,893 customers.

CL&P announced during a press conference with Gov. Malloy this morning that the company expects to have restoration forecasts for all 149 Connecticut municipalities by tomorrow, and in a Tweet this morning said that towns not showing up on the list are still be assessed for closed roads and fallen wires.

As of 9:30 a.m., the following information was listed for HTNP.com readership towns:

Columbia – 14 percent without power; 354 out of 2,440 customers

Coventry – 73 percent without power; 3,990 out of 5,464 customers

East Haddam – 25 percent without power; 1,217 out of 4,823 customers

East Hampton – 34 percent without power; 2,089 out of 6,080 customers

Hebron – 31 percent without power; 1,246 out of 3,909 customers

Mansfield/Storrs – 19 percent without power; 1,266 our of 6,566 customers

Willington – 89 percent without power; 2,583 out of 2,893 customers

Windham/Willimantic – 0.79 percent; 83 out of 10,450

As of Monday evening, weather forecasters were predicting a warming trend, with temperatures in most of the state climbing up to the mid- and upper 50s. However, the forecast is for temperatures to begin to drop again as of Friday.

Information about shelters accepting overnight stays is available by calling 2-1-1 or check online at www.211ct.org

You should also check with your local town offices for information about places where you can shower, recharge your electronics and/or get food and drinking water.

It’s also a good idea to check on the elderly or disabled, particularly those who live alone.

And again, emergency officials are warning residents to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by not using such things are a gas grill or your gas stove to heat your living area.

Likewise, generators must be installed properly not only to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning but to avoid fires such as those that occurred in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.

Also, if you are using your vehicle to recharge your cell phone, please do not leave it running in the garage – move it outdoors.

Posted Nov. 1, 2011

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CT Legislature approves jobs bill, slashes red tape, invests in small business

The DECD estimates more than 4,600 bioscience jobs would be generated through spin-off companies, and another 2,000 would be added to local service and area retail stores. The project would yield more than 840 construction jobs as well.

State lawmakers today (Oct. 26) approved what they are calling a “jobs bill” (HB6801) that improves Connecticut’s ability to grow and retain jobs.

Among other things, it increases state support for smaller companies and provides tax credits to firms that hire new workers – and firms that hire veterans or the unemployed will be given additional credits.

In addition, the legislature approved the state’s commitment to Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine – an investment that unlocks the potential of thousands of jobs in the field of genomic medicine and the biosciences.

Both measures were approved during today’s (Oct. 26) special session of the General Assembly.

Jackson Laboratory plans to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington, CT.

The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million for the project.

According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the project is expected to create about 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years.

And DECD estimates more than 4,600 bioscience jobs would be generated through spin-off companies, and another 2,000 would be added to local service and area retail stores. The project would yield more than 840 construction jobs as well.

The goal of the legislation approved today is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth.

Incentives for small business, expediting permitting, incentives for innovation, economic development tools and workforce development and training are all addressed in the bill.

One of the key components of the legislation is the “Small Business Express Package” which will make $50 million/year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans.

Another vital component is aligning programs at vo-tech schools, community colleges and universities with high-demand job needs of employers, including the state’s manufacturing technology companies.

Other components of the jobs bill include:

• Consolidating and increasing the tax credit for new hires

• Providing incentives for investing in emerging technology, known as “Angel Investors”

• Building innovation centers in key cities and investing in innovative ventures

• A second “First Five” program

• Reducing the business entity tax

• Streamlining the business-permitting process without relaxing regulations

• Remediating old industrial sites/brownfields

• Computer upgrades to foster seamless communication between business and the state

• Workforce development, education and training

• Allowing the Airport Authority to designate new “Development Zones”

• Investments in roads and bridges

• Replenishing the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)

• A Main Street commercial centers improvement initiative

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy also issued a press release praising what’s being called “the jobs bill” by saying, “By investing in Bioscience Connecticut, we sent a strong message to the industry that the state is ready, willing and able to be a player… Just five months later, the state is already reaping its rewards, and tonight we took the next step toward reinventing Connecticut as a leader in the industry by officially welcoming JAX to the state.”

“Yes, this is about jobs – more than 6,800 of them,” Gov. Malloy said. “But it’s also about a lot more than that. It’s about making Connecticut a leader in a growth industry. When was the last time we could say anything like that?”

“I’d like to thank everyone – Democrats and the few Republicans – who voted in favor of this bill. Supporting a smart, strategic investment like this shouldn’t be a partisan issue. We have the infrastructure, the talent and the drive to make Connecticut a leader in this emerging science, and I’m pleased to welcome Jackson Laboratory to our state,” Gov. Malloy said.

Posted Oct. 26, 2011

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CL&P to host public meeting on upgrade project for Eastern CT

Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) has rescheduled a public open house for residents living in eastern Connecticut to learn more about the proposed transmission upgrade, also known as the Interstate Reliability Project, to Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. This event was originally scheduled for Sept. 14, 2011.

The public meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mansfield Community Center, 10 South Eagleville Road (Route 275, off Route 195-Storrs Road) in Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06268.

According to the press release announcing the meeting, the proposed Interstate Reliability Project is designed to improve the reliability of the transmission system serving eastern Connecticut and the southern New England region.

The construction route begins in Lebanon and continues through Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Chaplin, Hampton, Brooklyn, Pomfret, Killingly, Putnam and Thompson, and then extends through National Grid’s service areas in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Some of the work will take place in protected areas, such as Mansfield Hollow State Park.

The November open house is the second of two regional events held by CL&P to update residents on the project and receive their meaningful feedback.

The first open house was held in Danielson on Aug. 23, 2011.

At these meetings, members of the CL&P project team are on hand to provide information and answer residents’ questions about the project.

For more details about the Interstate Reliability Project, visit www.NEEWSprojects.com, or call 1-866-99NEEWS (1-866-996-3397).

Posted Oct. 25, 2011

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Six SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Connecticut to Close Oct. 6

PRNewsFoto/U.S. Small Business Administration courtesy of PR NEWSWIRE

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that due to a steady decrease of activity, six Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) located in Connecticut will cease operations Thursday, Oct. 6 at the close of business.

The SBA urges those affected by Tropical Storm Irene that occurred on Aug. 27 – Sept. 1, 2011, to visit these Centers before they close to obtain one-on-one assistance and information about the disaster assistance program.

The SBA also encourages homeowners, renters and businesses who received applications to return their completed applications as quickly as possible.

As of Oct. 4, 2011 the SBA has approved nearly $2 million in Disaster Assistance Loans for Connecticut residents and business owners.

“Currently, 52 home and business disaster loans have been approved in the amount of $1,992,500 for affected survivors,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. “We are pleased to be able to get these loans approved so residents and businesses in the disaster area can start to rebuild and resume their normal lives.”

The DLOCs that will close Thursday evening, Oct. 6, and those that will remain open until Thursday evening, Oct. 13 (including Business Recovery Centers) are:

Closing Oct. 6

Litchfield County, Torrington Fire HQ Meeting Room, 111 Water St., Torrington, CT 06790 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; New Haven County, Gateway Community College Room 117, 88 Bassett Road, North Haven, CT 06473 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Hartford County, Tunxis Community College Cyber Café, 271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; New Haven County, High Plains Community Center Probate Court Hearing Room, 525 Orange Center Road, Orange, CT 06477 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; New Haven County, Guilford Police Dept. Community Room, 400 Church St., Guilford, CT 06437 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; New London County Groton Senior Center, 102 Newton Road, Groton, CT 06340 Hours: Tue. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Closing Oct. 13

New Haven County, The Beach House, East Haven Town Beach, 160 Cosey Beach Ave., East Haven, CT. Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;

Also, the following Business Recovery Centers will remain open until the close of business on Thurs., Oct. 13:

New Haven County, Gateway Community College Room 117 (the BRC only), 88 Bassett Road, North Haven, CT 06473 Hours: Mon.-Fri. (except Oct. 14) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Soundview Family YMCA (BRC only), 628 Main St., Branford, CT Hours: Mon.-Fri. (except for Oct. 14) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contacting SBA

If you are unable to visit one of the Centers before they close, you can contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center for information and loan applications by calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) Mon. through Fri. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Business loan applications also can be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov Completed applications should be returned to one of the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Deadlines

The deadline to return SBA applications for physical property damage is Nov. 3, 2011. The deadline to return applications for economic injury is June 4, 2012.

For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit www.sba.gov

Posted Oct. 5, 2011

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