United Illuminating CEO Defends Employees, Holds to 95% Monday Timeline

Response to 'Discriminating' Accusations

"None of that is occurring," Torgerson said. "We're sending our crews everywhere. For example, we have 70 resources in Bridgeport today, we have 64 in Milford, we 70 in Fairfield."

Comment on People 'Not Showing Respect' to Field Crews

Referring to incidents in which citizens of towns and cities have allegedly thrown things at field crew employees or threatened to throw things at them, Torgerson said, "We really can't tolerate that."

How Many Hours Are UI Crews Working?  

 "They're working 16 hour days," Torgerson said. "This is not just people in the field. We've got people working here who are sleeping overnight. Most of people in the field haven't even been home. They work 16-hour days, go somewhere to sleep and get back out there."

Milford Gas Leak 

Torgerson spoke of the gas leak in Milford Thursday morning. "Our gas people were there very quickly," Torgerson said. "It's under control. No individuals or nobody from the public was in any jeopardy. It's been taken care of and it's being taken care of right now."

Number of Workers Compared to Irene

Torgerson said that UI will have 1,170 workers on the ground in Connecticut as of tomorrow, an increase of the less than 700 they had working at the height of Irene.

He is planning to stick to the announcement that 95% of UI customers will have power back by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 5th.