Eversource CEO Urged Lamont to Intervene on Storm Costs

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's dealings with Eversource's chief executive drew scrutiny on Oct. 8 after CT Insider published text messages showing Joe Nolan repeatedly pressed the governor to step in on a $1 billion storm-cost dispute between the utility and state regulators.

Lamont has been airing campaign ads ahead of his reelection bid touting lower electricity bills and reforms aimed at Eversource, and in May 2026 he criticized Nolan's salary as the company sought a new rate increase for 2027. Nolan, however, told investors that criticism from Lamont and other politicians was insincere and tied to the campaign, describing a friendly relationship with New England governors.

Republican challenger state Sen. Ryan Fazio called the Lamont-Nolan relationship "cozy," noting that Eversource's financial outlook improved after regulators approved resolution of the storm-cost dispute and the $2.4 billion sale of the company's water utility, Aquarion — both decisions needing approval from the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, a board whose members Lamont appointed.

Lamont told the Connecticut Mirror that reaching out to utility executives is part of a governor's job and said he does not feel obligated to act on their requests, dismissing Nolan's investor remarks as him saying what his audience wanted to hear.

This story was first reported by CT Mirror.