Jeffrey Butler: 'I Did Not Want My Presence to Be a Distraction'

AVON — Avon resident and resigning CL&P president Jeffrey Butler does not want to talk about his resignation, but he spoke out for the first and final time Friday since the news of his departure broke, shifting the focus on moving foward.

"While I appreciate that the media may be interested in speaking to me about my decision to resign from CL&P, I have no comment, and will have no comment beyond the following statement," Butler wrote in a statement sent to media after seeking several inquiries for a comment on his resignation.

But he did want to talk about CL&P and two of the most extensive power outages the company has had to respond to as a result of Tropical Storm Irene and the late October snowstorm.

"In just two months the state of Connecticut has faced two historic storms and the most challenging restoration in CL&P’s history," Butler said in his statement. "The employees responded to each event with dedication and resilience performing well under very difficult conditions. It is a performance I am proud of. And yet, from both storms, there are lessons to be learned."

Butler did not directly mention his resignation, but he did reference it as a way to help CL&P to move on.

"I believe CL&P will emerge even stronger from the review processes that are underway," Butler wrote. "However, I did not want my presence to be a distraction to that effort."

And now Butler wishes to do the same, move on.

"I ask for the media to please respect my and my family’s privacy as we all move forward,” Butler wrote.