Power facilities would report incidents and provide emergency contacts

Facility applicants and permit holders would designate an emergency contact authorized to act on their behalf. The rules would cover applicants and permit holders who own or operate certain power generation and storage facilities. Applicants would share contact details with the Connecticut Siting Council and local town and fire officials as a condition of approval. Contact details would be posted at every entrance. Changes would require written notice to those officials and updated signs within 30 days. The contact would have to be available to respond within one hour of an emergency. Emergency responders who tried to reach an unresponsive contact would file a written report with the council. The section would take effect October 1, 2026. Existing permit holders would have until January 1, 2027, to name a contact, share the details in writing, and post signs.

Permit holders would report major and minor incidents to the Connecticut Siting Council. The duty would cover holders of council permits to operate certain power generation and storage facilities. A major incident would involve an emergency power shutoff because of a hazardous condition, a required local emergency response, or an injury requiring hospitalization. A minor incident would mean an unexpected or unplanned shutdown that does not require local emergency responders. Reporting rules would take effect October 1, 2026. Starting July 1, 2028, the council would report annually to the legislature's energy committee on incident reports received during the preceding year.

The Connecticut Siting Council could require applicants to pay for training for local emergency responders. Training would address the proposed facility and serve firefighters or other emergency responders in each town where the covered facility would be located. The council could make training a condition of facility approval. Applicants would notify local town leaders and fire marshals. Those officials would have 60 days after receiving notice to say in writing whether responders request training. If requested, applicants would arrange for training within 60 days of the request and pay its full cost. The training provision would take effect October 1, 2026.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's chair would convene a group to review how covered facilities restart power generation. The review would concern certain power generation facilities covered by the referenced state law. The review would cover shutdowns lasting more than five days and consider restart rules, coordination, and risks to safety and reliable electricity service. The chair would consult the state energy and environmental protection commissioner and the Connecticut Siting Council. The group would include state officials, utility and facility representatives, and the Consumer Counsel. The section would take effect October 1, 2026. The chair would convene the group by November 1, 2026, and report its work and any recommendations to lawmakers by February 1, 2027.