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June 18, 2020

Utilities resume work delayed by COVID-19

PHOTO | New Haven BIZ Avangrid’s headquarters in Orange.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

With coronavirus cases in the state on the decline, three area utilities announced they are resuming work inside the premises of their commercial and residential customers. 

Since the coronavirus pandemic started in March, the three subsidiaries of Orange-based Avangrid Inc. — United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas — had deferred non-emergency tasks that required employees to enter businesses and homes. 

Tony Marone, Avangrid’s president and CEO, said much of the companies’ work has continued in spite of the pandemic, because utilities are deemed essential.

Gov. Ned Lamont eased restrictions on many businesses as of June 17 for Phase 2 of the state’s reopening. More businesses, such as hotels, amusement parks and nail salons, have been allowed to reopen.

In conjunction with Phase 2, Marone said the utilities will “expand our work to include important customer-facing tasks that improve the customer experience.”

“We will continue to put the health and safety of our customers and employees first as we resume the work that was deferred or otherwise impacted by COVID-19,” Marone added.

For United Illuminating electric customers, this work includes indoor work related to metering that requires an employee to enter a customer’s home or business. 

SCG and CNG will once again conduct indoor leak and corrosion surveys, indoor gas meter replacements and meter relocations, and maintenance activities that require technicians to enter premises to halt and restart gas supply.

To help keep both employees and customers safe, employees will use personal protective equipment and maintain physical distance from customers. The companies plan to conduct health and safety checks of employees when they start their shifts. 

However, in-person Home Energy Solutions energy audits remain suspended, though virtual pre-assessments for residential customers are available. Once in-home assessments resume, any customers who received a pre-assessment can get the in-person one done for free.

For information, call 877-WISE-USE.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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