Connecticut's AG Wants Investigation Into CL&P's Snowstorm Response

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Connecticut's Attorney General wants an investigation into Connecticut Light & Power's response to last weekend's snowstorm that caused widespread power outages across the state.

A.G. George Jepsen said he has filed a formal request with Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, to look into whether CL&P was doing everything it could to make sure customers would get their power back as soon as possible.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan reports

Over 400,000 CL&P customers remained without power Thursday night.

Latest Outage Numbers: CL&P

Meanwhile, in places like Fairfield County, more than 70 percent of customers were back online.  CL&P said it had nearly 1,500 crews in the field trying to quickly restore power.

"My power just came back on this morning and I'm very happy about that," Lou Belafolto told CBS 2's Lou Young.

Many, however, are still waiting and preparing the fireplace and portable lanterns for a another night in the dark.

One or two days is one thing, but after four or five days, it's disruption," Robert Reitnecht said.

"It was old three days ago. We're a little tired of it," Sharon Scott said.

A sudden spurt of utility company activity came hours after CBS 2's story Wednesday night about Danbury's complaints.
City clean-up crews went so far as to carry signs blaming the utility for the delays.

"I think a lot of people kinda heard what was going on here, some high-end managers at CL&P.  I hate to say that's what it took, but I tell you I think you did have an impact," said Danbury Public Works Director Antonio Iadarola.

"We understand the severity of this situation and still expect to have 99 percent of our customers back on-line by Sunday night," Jeff Butler, CL&P's president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.

But for those hundreds of thousands who spent another night in the dark, many are feeling outage outrage.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane In Wilton

Butler told 1010 WINS says he knows people are frustrated, but the utility is doing everything it can to get power restored.

"This storm was far more significant than even Irene and we continue to bring every resource in here" he said.

All they can do is wait for crews to clear downed trees and power lines and restore electricity, but the signs of frustration are everywhere.

Meanwhile, officials are worried about air quality in the state because of the amount of use of generators and wood burning due to the power outages.

Gov. Dan Malloy also says the number of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning is in the state is on the rise.

"Ventilation is important if you're having fires in your house and of course do not bring anything like a grill or a generator in your house and do  not charge your cell batteries in a car that's parked in your garage, it makes so sense at all," he said.

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