CL&P Chief Resigns, Changes Announced

, the embattled president  and COO of , resigned on Thursday afternoon amid heavy criticism the company received in response to the storms that hit on August 28 and October 29.  In a statement on the company's website, Charles W. Shivery, President and CEO of the parent company of CL&P, Bulter's resignation is effective immediately.

“We reluctantly accepted Jeff’s resignation,” Shivery said. “His commitment and dedication on behalf of our company, employees and customers have been exceptional. We thank him for his important contribution to NU, CL&P and the community. We wish him all the best.”

Shivery said the company will undertake a national search for Butler's successor. James A. Muntz, NU president – Transmission, will serve as president and chief operating officer of CL&P until a replacement for Bulter is found.  Shivery also announced actions he has taken to enhance CL&P’s emergency preparedness.

The public and state leaders, including questioned CL&P preparations and response to tropical storm Irene on August 28 and winter storm Alfred on October 29. According to its website, more than 1.5 million of CL&P's customers in Connecticut were without power during those two storms. In information gathered from the outage map on CL&P's website, more than 40 percent of its customers in Norwalk had their power knocked out in each storm.

Malloy is out of the country visiting troops in Afghanistan and couldn't be reached for comment, but in a statement by his senior advisor, Roy Occhiogrosso, the resignation didn't come as a surprise to the adminstration.

"Governor Malloy made clear that he thought Northeast Utilities needed to address CL&P's management issues, and it's clear that process has begun," Occhiogrosso said. "It's also likely that there will be other changes on other fronts as a result of CL&P's performance in the lead-up to and aftermath of the storm."

Occhiogrosso was correct about other changes.  Shivery said in his statement on the company's website that a new position has been created to lead emergency preparedness, which will be filled by William J. Quinlan. As CL&P senior vice president - Emergency Preparedness, Quinlan will lead the consolidation and integration of all CL&P emergency preparedness. He will work with state and town officials to put protocols in place to allow CL&P to partner effectively in any type of emergency. 

Shivery also announced that Dana Louth, currently vice president – Asset Strategy, has been named to the new position of vice president – CL&P Infrastructure Hardening, reporting to Quinlan. Louth is a 35-year CL&P veteran with extensive experience in the design and maintenance of electric systems.

“I am proud of our employees and their hard work in response to these historic storms,” said Shivery. “Today’s changes are major steps to help CL&P and our employees better meet future challenges. There are still things to learn, but with winter coming these were changes I knew we should and could make right now.”

(Editor's note: Information for this story was attained from company's website, including figures from power outage maps.)