HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The big heat wave may be over but the damage it did has prompted the governor to ask for a review of utility equipment.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Sunday said she wants state utility regulators to review equipment and facilities after fires in underground utility vaults caused power failures in Stamford and Meriden last week.

Rell asked Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control to examine the age and condition of the state’s utility infrastructure. She also wants the DPUC to request documents from Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating that outline contingency plans for dealing with similar breakdowns in the future.

In Stamford, CL&P was forced to shut down parts of the power grid in order to prevent more widespread outages.

“While this might be a reasonable policy, I am concerned about its downside,” Rell said. “This was more than an inconvenience with a few traffic lights that were out. Numerous elderly and other citizens were put at serious risk and businesses were shut down when power was cut and air conditioning was lost.”

Regulators must report their findings to Rell by Sept. 15.

AP-ES-08-06-06 1646EDT