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PURA directs Eversource and NextEra to assess East Windsor solar site after March 11 fire
Summary
PURA adopted a final decision in docket 250311 finding EversourceEnergyresponded reasonably to a March 11, 2025 equipment failure and ordered Eversource and the NextEra-affiliated DG Connecticut Solar 3 LLC to conduct a power-quality assessment and equipment inspection at the East Windsor facility amid reports of recurring outages and noise complaints.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Wednesday adopted a final decision in docket 250311 finding that Connecticut Light and Power Company, doing business as Eversource Energy, responded appropriately to a March 11, 2025 equipment failure that sparked a brush fire at a solar photovoltaic facility in East Windsor.
Authority staff summary: The authority's staff, presented by Rory Butler, said the agency found "Eversource's accident response, incident reporting, and the maintenance and operation of its plant were reasonable and appropriate." Butler told the panel that Eversource filed a minor-accident report on April 10, 2025, had inspected the equipment connecting the DG Connecticut Solar 3 LLC facility on Feb. 26, 2025, and made repairs on March 8, 2025.
Why the authority ordered further work: Butler said heavy winds in the days before March 11 likely contributed to the equipment failure, but staff also flagged a pattern of equipment failures, recurring site trips and noise complaints at the NextEra-affiliated facility that "warrant further investigation and analysis of the facility, including whether there are power quality or other equipment issues which may be contributing to equipment degradation." The authority directed Eversource and NextEra to conduct a power-quality assessment and to inspect equipment at the site.
Commissioner remarks and legal question: Vice Chairman David Arcanti said he would support the final decision but emphasized it exposed broader regulatory questions. Reading from NextEra's written exceptions, Arcanti said that NextEra contends "PURA has no authority over the construction of solar facilities and cannot regulate the ongoing operation of solar facilities, and no statute specifically provides the authority with oversight or enforcement power regarding their regulation of solar facility construction, operation, or safety." He urged that the apparent regulatory gap could be addressed by the legislature.
Action and vote: A commissioner moved to consider the final decision on part A; the chair seconded. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from Chairman Tom Wheel, Vice Chairman David Arcanti and Commissioners Jan Beecher, Holly Cheeseman and Everett Smith. The panel adopted the final decision in docket 250311 and the directive for a power-quality assessment and inspection.
What happens next: The order directs Eversource and NextEra to carry out the assessment and inspection; staff said the recurring issues at the site warrant additional analysis, which may lead to further proceedings. The authority scheduled its next meeting for July 29, 2026.
(Reporting note: Details above are based on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's staff summary and the text of the final decision presented at the July 15, 2026 meeting. The authority noted that NextEra's written exceptions argued limits to PURA's statutory authority; the authority's order does not itself resolve that statutory question and instead mandates the assessment and inspection.)
