CL&P: No power cut at midnight

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's biggest electric company says there's no truth to the rumor it'll cut power at midnight because of Hurricane Irene.

Connecticut Light & Power Co. spokesman Mitch Gross says talk of a Saturday night power cut is an "ugly rumor" and it's "absolutely not true." He says the company is seeking to calm people who've been affected by it.

Connecticut Light & Power serves 1.2 million customers in 149 of the state's 169 towns. Geographically it covers 80 percent of the state.

The company says it has a comprehensive plan to respond to problems caused by Hurricane Irene, which is expected to make landfall in the Stamford area Sunday morning. It says all employees are on standby and parent company Northeast Utilities is coordinating with companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to secure extra crews.