DELAURO: MORE AID, BETTER COORDINATION NEEDED FOR CONNECTICUT HURRICANE RECOVERY

New Haven, CT— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) spoke to Connecticut officials, representatives from United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power, and FEMA officials today and urged the companies to increase their efforts to restore power to residents. The Congresswoman also offered her assistance by calling for more utility crews to be sent to the state, and urged the utility companies to improve coordination with state and local officials to better serve residents and to speed the recovery process.

"While progress has certainly been made, there are still more than 400,000 Connecticut residents without power— down from 900,000, by far the worst power outage caused by a storm in the state's history. And for those residents in areas along the shoreline, which were devastated by this storm, power is especially critical in restoring communications and ensuring residents can get the help they need.

"After speaking to many of the 3rd District's town mayors and first selectmen, it is clear that more must be done. That I why I have urged United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power to send more utility crews to assist in response efforts, specifically repairing and making safe downed power lines so that roads can be reopened and power can be restored to residents. I have also asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) directly for more utility crews to be sent to Connecticut, and urged the Department of Energy, scheduled to visit the state tomorrow, to bring crews as well.

"Additionally, I have asked that United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power increase their coordination with local towns and officials. Our local public works departments are ready and able to assist in the recovery process, and their efforts will help to speed our recovery. I will keep working to communicate and coordinate with town and state officials to prioritize and address the issues our residents are facing. As always, my office is ready to assist anyone in need of help and will continue to support all federal relief requests."

To contact Congresswoman DeLauro's office, please call (203) 562-3718 or go to www.delauro.house.gov.