Conn. mulls cut in utility profit over outages

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut regulators say they will consider reducing the allowed profit for Connecticut Light & Power as a penalty for the way the utility handled power outages during two massive storms last year.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said Wednesday that the state's biggest utility failed to get adequate help before an October snow storm and its response was deficient. Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power for a week or more in both storms.

A spokesman said the Berlin (BURR'-lin)-based utility has improved its emergency response procedures and significant upgrades will help restore power in future storms.

Regulators did not say how much it may reduce CL&P's profit. They said a reduction in the next ratemaking proceeding would serve as a penalty and spur incentives for improvement.