Controlling the Cost of Electric Utilities

Electric utility costs have been a top issue in 2024 and I have been actively working on identifying the core problems and issues.  Check out this op-ed I wrote with some of my House colleagues: Lawmakers: Setting the record straight on CT electric bills (courant.com)

I totally share the frustration on the cost of energy and utilities and am not happy with the way Eversource treats its ratepayers.  There's no easy solution to controlling electric utility costs but we are definitely working on it every year.   For instance, we passed a bill that I co-sponsored in 2021 that has started making major reforms to electric utilities - many of these reforms are just starting to come online and one thing I can tell you for sure is that that bill has strengthened the state’s ability (through PURA) to scrutinize and review rate increases. 

However, beyond that, I believe we also need to reform PURA by adding two additional commissioners who are there to look out for the ratepayers. We need to look at reforming the "public benefits" portion of our electric bills and alternative ways to fund these programs and how they are paid for.  Longer term, we need to look at diversifying our energy sources and perhaps even look at developing systems of state-owned or regulated or municipal-owned or regulated public utilities.  I plan to introduce legislation in 2025 to propose these reforms.