NU officials dispute breaking Conn. deal

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Hartford-based Northeast Utilities is disputing allegations by Connecticut officials that the company broke a requirement to notify the state of any layoffs.

New England's largest utility company issued a statement Monday saying its interpretation of the reporting requirement is different than the one by state Attorney General George Jepsen and Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz, and it will be filing a response with state regulators. Jepsen and Katz say NU broke the reporting rule and are demanding information about NU layoffs and staffing levels.

State officials say 319 employees have left NU since its $5 billion purchase of Boston's NStar was completed in April.

Jepsen says a settlement agreement with the state over the NStar deal requires NU to give 30 days advance notice to the state about any layoffs.