House Republican Press Release

December 21, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Miller Hails Attorney General’s Suit Against TEN Companies, Inc.

Company Threatened to Shut Off Heating and Cooling to Key State Complexes

HARTFORD- Representative Lawrence Miller (R- 122) today applauded the actions of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Department of Public Works Commissioner Raeanne V. Curtis, and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr., in seeking a permanent injunction barring the TEN Corporation from cutting off heating and cooling to a number of state buildings in Hartford.

The state is currently involved in a dispute with TEN over $14 million the state claims TEN overcharged for heating and cooling going back to 1992. TEN subsequently threatened to halt heating and cooling service to state buildings unless the lawsuit was dropped.

Representative Miller criticized TEN last April for the overcharges, and called for the installation of a stand-alone decentralized energy system for state office buildings to reduce cost, increased reliability, and increased security to the overall electric grid.

“TEN has gone too far in threatening the state,” said Miller.  “First they overcharge us, and now they threaten us because we had the temerity to seek restitution on behalf of taxpayers for the overcharge.  It’s outrageous, and I applaud the Attorney General and Commissioners for taking immediate action to ensure they cannot follow through on their threat.”

The buildings in the power loop include the State Health lab, DEP Headquarters, the State Armory and Emergency Operations Center, the Supreme and Appellate Courts, and the Legislative Office Building among others.

“By not annually inspecting these lines TEN has abused their relationship with the state, failing to ensure the safety of the district heating loop they manage, and now they have extended a threat that could jeopardize the health and safety of Connecticut workers if they follow through,” said Miller.  “Their irresponsible disregard for public safety is unacceptable.”

TEN’s current contract with the state expires on May 1, 2008, which is when they have threatened to discontinue service.