.
Feedback

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

James Torgerson, President and CEO of UIL Holdings, parent company of UI, held a press conference at UI headquarters in Orange, CT Thursday evening.

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.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Fairfield Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Priscilla Lynn May 18, 2013 at 06:25 pm
Was intrigued by this new venue, so tried to access. The internet search told me thatRead More www.smallbusinesspatch.com url does not exist. ????
momof3 May 16, 2013 at 07:00 pm
Forgive me, I guess I don't quite see how we are 1 million over budget? What financials are youRead More referring too? The third quarter statement of account? Was last year the year the BOE returned $ to the town? Absolutely agree with you about the middle school, we need more STEM offerings. Right now high schoolers are required to show they are proficient in Microsoft Office. Many take a semester long course to help prepare for the test (seems like that time could be better spent). Other students just take the proficiency test. Seems like this can be something that can be addressed earlier than high school. Why not offer the course to 8th graders, and let them show they are proficient in Microsoft Office before they even get to high school.
Alrick H Man IV May 16, 2013 at 10:20 am
It seems apparent to me as I watch children getting picked up in the morning by school buses thatRead More there is some stream lining that could be done with the school bus budget. There are at least five separate buses that pick up children in front of my hose on Jennings road each morning 4 of which are all elementary. Can all these children in a two block radius go to different schools and if they do why. all the buses are almost empty when they pick up these children. Why then potentially are we paying all this money for buses when less can be used?
Dawn Llewellyn May 15, 2013 at 07:40 am
"But what does this amount to? How does a solid education translate to the all important SATRead More scores?" Fairfield Warde 2012 scores: Reading 537, Math 548, Writing 555 Fairfield Ludlowe 2012 scores: Reading 545, Math 545, Writing 558. Greenwich is in our DRG B
Andrew Graceffa May 15, 2013 at 09:32 am
For flat, easy terrain, the beach area and old post road offer the best situations. On weekendsRead More you'll find plenty of bike riders in the area so you'll have some company and there is plenty of scenery. Also, there are a couple of multi-use off-road paths located at Ash Creek (near Fairfield Metro Station) and Pine Creek.
Lisa G May 14, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Hi, there are lots of beautiful trails in CT. Google "rails to trails" and enter your zip.Read More Here's a link to the trail I walk....it starts in Trumbull and goes to Monroe. http://www.traillink.com/trail/housatonic-rail-trail-in-trumbull-%28pequonnock-valley-greenway%29.aspx?utm_expid=5284793-5&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D2%26ved%3D0CDEQFjAB%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.traillink.com%252Ftrail%252Fhousatonic-rail-trail-in-trumbull-%28pequonnock-valley-greenway%29.aspx%26ei%3D82SSUfOYIKnq0wG_74HwAg%26usg%3DAFQjCNHFcjZlNfHcnxHhm3pQD9iSINlF4g%26bvm%3Dbv.46471029%2Cd.dmQ