NPU GM to testify before U.S. Senate on storm response

Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda will testify in Washington Thursday before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to discuss electric grid reliability during hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and three Massachusetts senators requested the hearing in the wake of Hurricane Irene and an October snowstorm in the Northeast that left millions without power for weeks.

“Our staff performed extremely well for the community during Storm Irene, and I am honored to give this message to the U.S. Senate,” Bilda said today while preparing both written and oral testimony for Thursday’s hearing.

NPU was praised widely for its rapid response during and after Tropical Storm Irene for restoring power to city neighborhoods and for assisting city officials in ensuring a local nursing home was equipped with a generator to avoid evacuation.