nothin New Haven Independent | Council To Verizon: Hand Over The Storm Data

Council To Verizon: Hand Over The Storm Data

The Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) unanimously Thursday denied a request from a cell company to shield information from the public regarding the impact of two historic storms on cell service.

Verizon Wireless had asked the CSC to issue a protective order on the information, claiming it was proprietary and confidential. Click here to read about that.

The CSC, which has jurisdiction over placement of cell towers, has been attempting to get answers to an in-depth questionnaire regarding the impact of Tropical Storm Irene. Before the deadline for replying, a rare autumn snowstorm hit the state, knocking out electricity to more than 800,000 customers.

The CSC expanded its investigation to include both storms, but was stalled by a request from Verizon to shield the data from the public.

Following the vote at Thursday’s meeting, CSC Executive Director Linda Roberts said she is hopeful the companies will answer the questionnaire.

It’s still completely voluntary that they answer the questionnaire,” Roberts said. I like to think, in good faith, now that they understand the reason for the information, that it will be forthcoming.”

The CSC is giving the companies two weeks to respond to the questions, many of which deal with the availability of back-up batteries and generators.

New Haven Attorney Keith Ainsworth, a cell tower specialist hired by Branford to represent the town’s interests, said the public has the right to such information.

Ainsworth told the Eagle that people need to know if cell towers are dependable if they are going to make decisions about shedding their landline phones and relying solely on cell phones. They need to know if they’re going to have that service in an emergency,” he said.

Ainsworth said cell towers should have sufficient back-up power, and a plan for refueling a generator if electricity is out for an extended period. In my opinion, they should have at least three days of power,” he said.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, (D‑102nd,) said there should be a change in industry standards, which currently requires cell towers to have back-up generation for only eight to 12 hours. A recent Branford cell tower application increased the hours from 12 to 16, hardly enough” Reed said. She plans to submit legislation when the session resumes on a variety of cell tower issues, including this one.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the CSC approved a request from T‑Mobile to postpone a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 29 regarding a proposal to build a 160-foot cell tower on Pleasant Point Road in Branford. T‑Mobile had asked for a two-month postponement, but Roberts said the council ruled the hearing will be postponed until T‑Mobile is ready to proceed.

T‑Mobile asked for more time to look into an alternate site proposed by Branford. This is the third time the hearing has been postponed.

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