HARTFORD, Conn.(WTIC RADIO)-Attorney General William Tong announced late Friday that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority granted his motion to pursue Eversource and United Illuminating for their failed response to tropical storm Isaias. The storm caused several hundred thousand residents to lose power, some outages lasting nine days.By granting Tong's motion, it allows him to open a "trial-like" proceeding to make claims on behalf of the state and its ratepayers. Tong seeks fines, penalties and injunctive relief. He'll also oppose the utilities' requests for profits and reimbursement of storm-related costs. Tong made the first request of PURA last week. It was denied. He filed another motion for reconsideration, cautioning that failure to open a contested case would "set the stage for an endless series of related proceedings taking years to reach conclusion.” “This trial-like proceeding will allow us to make the strongest possible case on behalf of ratepayers, and to seek maximum fines and penalties in the swiftest amount of time. I want to thank PURA for this favorable decision, and appreciate their diligence in reconsidering our motion. Consumers are relying on this proceeding for answers and accountability,” Tong said.