Gov: Two Storm Panel To Include October Nor'easter In Their Charge

Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the working group he created in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene has been renamed the Two Storm Panel and has officially received an updated charge to include the recent October Nor’easter in its expanded scope.  The group will next meet on Wednesday, November 9.

Formerly known as the S.T.O.R.M. Irene Panel, the eight-member group had originally been charged with reviewing the preparedness, response and recovery efforts of the state and its partners – including the utilities and municipalities – related to Tropical Storm Irene and presenting to the Governor a set of recommendations on how to improve response to future storms and natural disasters.  In advance of Wednesday’s meeting, Governor Malloy charged the panel with an expanded scope, which now includes a review and analysis of the recent unprecedented October Nor’easter that hit the state and left thousands without power for over a week.

“Our state was hit twice in a short period of time by devastating weather events that created a lot of havoc and revealed vulnerabilities that should have been addressed years, if not decades ago,” Governor Malloy said in a prepared statement.  “With that in mind, I also want to ensure that whatever changes we make as a state – whether it’s through legislation, changes in best practices, or anything else – are adjustments that will actually work when put into practice and are not quick fixes that might look good on paper but won’t result in actual improvements in future emergency events.”

Governor Malloy will address the panel at the start of Wednesday’s meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  Following the Governor, the meeting will also feature a presentation by the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on regulatory requirements and budgets for utility company tree trimming, a presentation by several municipal and utility officials on tree management, a video conference with utility experts from Florida, and other related topics.  Information on Wednesday’s meeting can be found in the attached meeting agenda.

More information on Governor Malloy’s Two Storm Panel, including previous announcements, meeting agendas and minutes, can be found at http://governor.ct.gov/workinggroups.