GOVERNOR’S PANEL OF STATE AGENCIES REVIEWING THE KLEEN ENERGY
PLANT INCIDENT
MINUTES OF TECHNICAL MEETING
(February 16, 2010)
The meeting on the subject cited above was convened in the offices of the
Department of Public Utility Control on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 3:05 p.m.
Committee Members: Governor M. Jodi Rell
Honorable Alan Nevas, Chairman
Kevin DelGobbo, Commissioner, DPUC
Amey Marella, Commissioner, DEP
Linda Agnew, Commissioner, Dept. of Labor
Jerry Farrell Jr., Commissioner, DCP
John Danaher III, Commissioner, Public Safety
Peter Boynton, Commissioner, Homeland Security
Also present: Joanne Ford
Nick Coscia
Richard Maloney
Janita Hammel
Tom Davoren
Clanford Pierce
Robert Ross
Philip Sher
Gail Fuller
Pat Reilly
30 unidentified members of the public and press
Judge Alan Nevas opened the meeting and acknowledged the various
Commissioners present. He then turned the meeting over to Governor M. Jodi Rell.
Governor Rell stated that six state agencies comprise the panel and that it is a fact
finding panel. The panel will among other inquiries, be looking to see if permits and
licensing were properly filed. The Governor indicated that the purpose of the panel is
not to place blame. Governor Rell then thanked Judge Nevas for chairing the
committee.
Judge Nevas asked each committee member to introduce themselves and state
what Agency they represent. Judge Nevas stated that the mission of the committee is
to identify the cause and origin of the explosion and any contributing factors that may
have caused the explosion and were all labor laws followed. Judge Nevas stated that
the purpose of today’s meeting would be to make specific assignments to each
Commissioner, the time frame of when each Agency’s report is due, and when the next
meeting will be held.
Judge Nevas asked each Commissioner what their Agency’s role is in this
investigation and when they feel they can submit a report for review.
DEP: collect a list of all permits issued; a report could be ready in 2 weeks;
DPUC: implications of financial transactions and gas pipeline; a report could be
ready in 2 weeks;
Public Safety: limited involvement, assisted fire marshall and police departments
with recovery, supported all involved with case of incident; a report could be
ready in 1 month;
Homeland Security: assisted with urban search and rescue team; worked with
the Red Cross and FAA for safety purposes; worked with the FBI and CT State
Police assessing the threat of terrorism; a report could be ready in 3 weeks;
Consumer Protection: list of personnel on site; ensured the personnel were
properly licensed; a report could be ready in 2 weeks;
Labor: make sure labor laws and worker safety laws were followed; a report
could be ready in 2 weeks.
Judge Nevas complimented all the Agencies for working so quickly. He also
encouraged the Agencies to communicate with each other over the course of this
investigation. Any witnesses or expert that would be helpful at the next meeting should
be present. Commissioner DelGobbo suggested that a representative from the CT
Siting Council should attend. Commissioner Farrell suggested that they might have an
expert on metal piping attend.
Judge Nevas stated the next meeting would be held on March 10, 2010, at 10:00
a.m., in the offices of the Department of Public Utility Control. The order of the
Agencies at the next meeting will be 1) Public Safety, 2) Homeland Security, 3) DPUC,
4) DEP, 5) Labor and 6) Consumer Protection.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne D. Ford