Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, D-Conn., has announced that he will seek $3.2 billion from the federal government for infrastructure hardening, following the extensive damage the state incurred most recently from Storm Sandy. Combined, Connecticut sustained more than $1 billion in damage from Tropical Storm Irene, the October Nor'easter and Storm Sandy.
The governor's office says that Connecticut will seek $620 million for the state and its municipalities for prevention and mitigation measures ($495 million for municipalities and $125 million for the state). The additional $2.5 billion would go toward upgrading power transmission systems; replacing and hardening for current infrastructure; relocation of power lines underground; and the establishment of microgrids in selected high-density areas.
“[These funds] would allow us to revamp our power distribution system by expanding the use of microgrids and burying power lines in high density areas,” says Malloy.
