Utility Claims Late Payment By CL&P Led To Smaller Response To Power Outages
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- After last weekend's snowstorm, crews from power companies all over the country headed to the Tri-State to help, as they did after Hurricane Irene. However, this time around, fewer crews were dispatched to Connecticut.
Michigan-based Campbell Electric sent 17 crews to the Nutmeg State after Irene, but only six this week. Owner Carmen Campell claims the muted response was due to Connecticut Light and Power failing to pay for the previous aid.
Latest Outage Numbers: CL&P | Shelter List: click here.
"Kinda scary, because we already had like, over $3 million invoice and out for Hurricane Irene," he told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.
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Campbell says he could have sent 30 more crews, but he couldn't afford to pay for their benefits.
"Let them all know, if you pay us, we can send out a lot more," he said. "In truth, there's quite a few smaller companies like ours that could have sent people, had they gotten paid."
Technically, when the snowstorm hit, CL&P had a few more days before payment was due. Campbell says the check finally arrived late, on Friday.
Campbell says the outage numbers would've reduced much more quickly had CL&P wrote the checks more quickly.
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