FirstLight to restore funding to Candlewood Lake

The owner of Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in Connecticut, has agreed to restore a $50,000 contribution to the Candlewood Lake Authority for next fiscal year, starting in July, according to a release.

During a conference wall with U.S. Sens Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, FirstLight Power Resources parent company President and CEO Zin Smati informed the legislators of FirstLight’s decision to act on their commitment to fully contribute this year and to reconvene with the CLA and local community to find a mutually agreeable solution to fund the CLA for years to come.

FirstLight’s decision comes just weeks after Murphy sent a letter to GDF Suez North America’s Zin Smati urging FirstLight to reconsider its decision to reduce their funding to the CLA by 80 percent, and restore the funds.

“I’m pleased that FirstLight listened to my concerns and the concerns of local community leaders and agreed to pay their fair share this year,” Murphy said in the release. “Candlewood Lake is a regional treasure, and its caretakers need to be able to rely on consistent support.”

Murphy said that though this is great news, GDF Suez has not committed yet to fix this issue for the long term.

“I will not rest until we get a commitment to fully fund Candlewood Lake on a permanent basis,” Murphy said. “I look forward to working with the company and the community in the coming months to reach an agreement that will make sure the Candlewood Lake Authority and lake residents are not shortchanged.”

Funding for the authority is an important obligation for the owner of the lake, which profits from electricity generation and has a legal duty to protect and preserve the quality of the Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah, according to the release.

“I am pleased with this interim step and will continue to press for a more permanent solution,” said Blumenthal.

Esty said she was relieved by the news.

“Candlewood Lake is a stunning natural resource for our region, and FirstLight should continue working with the Candlewood Lake Authority to ensure a closer relationship in the future,” Esty said in the release.