UPDATE: Closure of Eversource Facility in Simsbury

Update, 10:51 a.m., Wednesday:

Editor’s note: Here’s Eversource’s response to critical statements made about the closing:

“We are voluntarily postponing the closing of our Simsbury work center until July 31,” said Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Eversource. “We have taken this step in the spirit of cooperation and continue to work closely with PURA, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Attorney General while our latest facilities reconfiguration plans are reviewed. It’s important to note that these facilities changes are being done to improve efficiency and cut costs for our customers.”

Original post:

REP. HAMPTON URGES OPPOSITION TO PLANNED CLOSURE OF EVERSOURCE FACILITY IN SIMSBURY

Public hearing before PURA on Thursday

State Representative John K. Hampton is urging Simsbury residents to join him in decrying the planned closure of the Northeast Utilities (Eversource) facility in Simsbury. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is holding a public hearing on the issue this Thursday, April 23 at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 at 10 Franklin Square in New Britain.

“I’m extremely disappointed with Eversources’s attempt to vacate Simsbury and I’ll be in New Britain on Thursday expressing my fervent opposition to this proposal,” said Rep. Hampton. “I have grave concerns regarding this move’s potential effect on public safety and customer service in Simsbury. One need only to look back to the 2011 October Storm and worry about future emergencies and extended response times if the Simsbury Area Work Center is shut down.”

Simsbury residents that cannot make the public hearing may submit written testimony to the address below. Correspondence must include the Docket No. (Docket No. 15-01-27) and title (Attorney General and Office of Consumer Counsel Request for Investigation of Northeast Utilities Facilities Closures in Connecticut).

The pre-file testimony may be sent to:

Jeffrey R. Gaudiosi, Esq.

Executive Secretary, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority 10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051 Or electronically at: pura.executivesecretary@ct.gov

“The closure would just add insult to injury in light of the already burdensome and exorbitant rates that customers are forced to pay. I am standing with my constituents in advocating to keep this facility open in Simsbury,” added Rep. Hampton.

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