CL&P's Dilemma: How to Pay for Irene

One possibility is that the company will raise rates.

Northeast Utilities is trying to figure out to pay the $100 million tab related to restoring power after Tropical Storm Irene hit New England.

Officials for the parent company of Connecticut Light & Power said the storm was the costliest ever for the Hartford-based utility, with about 800,000 customers losing power at the peak of the storm, mostly in Connecticut.

NU officials said the company will finance the costs through its credit line and seek somehow to recover the costs in the future. It's possible the company could file an application to raise customer rates to cover the expenses.

A spokesman for the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said Northeast Utilities has the right to a return of money it spends for repairs due to the storm and regulators will determine how much the utility spent and is entitled to receive in higher rates.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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