Connecticut lawmakers to take up storm response bill

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers will be discussing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposal to impose minimum standards for electric and gas utilities for emergency preparation and restoring services to customers in an emergency.

Under the bill, the new standards will be developed by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority and must cover minimum staffing and equipment for each utility based on the number of customers it services, recovery and service restoration targets in emergencies, and a plan for deploying utility crews, mutual aid crews and private contractors.

The proposal is scheduled for a public hearing before the General Assembly's Energy and Technology Committee on Tuesday.

Malloy's bill is one of several proposed in response to the widespread and lengthy power outages following the remnants of Hurricane Irene in August and the October snow storm.