GDF Suez, the parent company of FirstLight Power Resources, announced Wednesday that it will restore its full $50,000 contribution to the Candlewood Lake Authority for 2015-16, on top of the grants already awarded to the agency.

"FirstLight takes its role in the community as a responsible corporate neighbor seriously," said Leonard Greene, GDF Suez spokesman. "We have historically supported the Candlewood Lake Authority with substantial annual financial contributions and have decided to maintain the same level of support we provided last year."

Earlier this year, FirstLight said it would reduce its $50,000 annual contribution to the CLA to $10,000, and inaugurate a grant program that the agency could apply to along with others. The move led agency leaders and local and federal government officials to cry foul and ask the utility to reverse course.

Some $23,000 in grants have already been awarded the CLA by FirstLight through its Housatonic River Project Fund for hazard buoys, marine patrol radios, and the annual lake cleanup.

In May, FirstLight had said it would award another grant through the Housatonic fund to bring the total grant amount awarded the CLA to $50,000. But under the new plan, the $50,000 contribution would replace this final grant.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy has worked to see this result in the CLA-FirstLight situation.

"A few months ago, I heard that FirstLight Power Resources planned to slash its agreed upon contribution to the Candlewood Lake Authority by 80 percent," Murphy said Wednesday. "Frankly, I was baffled that FirstLight would so drastically shortchange Candlewood Lake, its caretakers and local residents."

"Today's announcement is fantastic news," Murphy added. "I'm glad that FirstLight listened to my concerns and the concerns of the local community and I won't rest until FirstLight, the Candlewood Lake Authority, and the communities reach a permanent funding solution."

The five municipalities that border Candlewood Lake are Brookfield, New Milford, New Fairfield, Sherman and Danbury. CEOs of these towns had also appealed to FirstLight to restore full funding. New Milford Mayor Pat Murphy said Wednesday that FirstLight's announcement was "excellent news."

"This is great when combined with the grants and match the CLA received for the new communications system form FirstLight," Murphy said. "We're all working together to maintain the health of the lake."

Phyllis Schaer, CLA chairwoman, said Wednesday that she is glad all parties are talking.

"I'm glad that we're talking and working things out," Schaer said. "I think it will be fruitful for the lake and the communities. I'm very happy to work with FirstLight. I'm developing areas where we can work together."

Grants award by FirstLight for 2015 through its newly formed Housatonic River Project Fund went to: the Housatonic Valley Association; Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police; Lake Lillinonah Authority; Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, and the Candlewood Lake Authority.