Watch: Sen. Fasano Speaks on Utility Reform Bill on Senate Floor

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, in one of his final speeches on the Senate floor before retiring, first offered, then withdrew an amendment that would separate the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

He recalled that the same problems of nine years ago re-emerged in August. Fasano warned that while the state wants to foster renewable energy sources, lawmakers think they can also keep rates low while trying to meet goals of reducing carbon emissions. He said that PURA was set up to keep lawmakers from having to go on the record in voting for customer rate hikes.

“Let’s not say renewables are needed, but we don’t want to talk about the realm of consequences,” Fasano said.

Read more.