Union Bashes New PURA Power Restoration Time Frame

CONNECTICUT — The decision this week by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to set a 96-hour deadline for the restoration of power after a major storm will "jeopardize the safety of workers, de-prioritize public safety and municipal coordination, and create false expectations for customers," a union representing line workers said Thursday.

The time limit was set by PURA as the standard for potential credits for spoiled food and other sundries if utilities do not restore power in that timeframe. It was implemented as another part of the Tropical Storm Isaias fallout. See more here.

See more on the decision here.

The union is claiming it was not fully involved in the process and called the decision a "political ploy."

According to the International Brotherhood of Electoral Workers, "Our electrical workers are first responders and utility workers in Connecticut. This decision will put our members in harm's way for an arbitrary time limit that is unacceptable – power cannot be safely restored in 96 hours when a major storm occurs."

The union continued, "Nobody knows better than our IBEW workers that electric service is crucial for both business and residential customers and that losing service is highly disruptive. But, the work to repair overhead electric wires and poles after a major storm is grueling, physical work with voltages as high as 345,000 volts and must be done with great care. There are no time limits set for police, fire, medical personnel or other first responders during emergencies.

"Time limits should not apply to our members who are line workers, splicers and electricians who are working on damaged electrical equipment and lines that can cause harsh human injury and death."

The state's major electric utilities — Eversource Energy and United Illuminating — were a big more diplomatic.

"We are still reviewing the full decision and its implications for our customers, communities and employees," UI spokesman Edward Crowder said. "We will continue to focus on the swift, safe restoration of power to every customer after a storm, in line with our PURA-approved Emergency Response Plan."

Added Eversource Spokesman Mitch Gross, "We're committed to the safe and quick restoration of power to our customers when major storms cause extensive damages and multi-day outages. We are very concerned that PURA’s decision imposes an unreasonable time limit on our restoration work and creates concerns for many levels of our storm response, including public safety, cost and customer expectations. We are reviewing the decision and evaluating our alternatives to reach a resolution that is in the best interests of our dedicated employees who are called on to restore power under all types of challenging circumstances and in the interests of our customers."

The union said it will not stop protesting.

It said, "All of the decisions about the use of crews and their safety get made at the beginning to the restoration and a waiver of the rule after-the-fact helps no one. This decision is wrong and our membership plans to take every action to remove the threat to our safety through the political and legal process."