SEN. CICARELLA, CT REPUBLICANS UNVEIL A BETTER WAY TO ENERGY AFFORDABILITY

Will Save Families Over $210 Per Year Immediately, More Over the Long Term

Yesterday Deputy Republican Leader Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven) and Senate and House Republican Leaders detailed a comprehensive package of policy proposals to reduce the cost of electric bills and make energy more affordable over the long term.

The policies will reduce energy costs for CT families by over $362 million per year, saving the average household over $210 next year. In the long run, the plan will drive down costs by even more and implement important ratepayer protections against utilities.

The package of legislative proposals will address two major goals:

1. Make energy more affordable and reliable, by reducing costs immediately as well as expanding and encouraging reliable and affordable generation over the long term; and
2. Ensure strong oversight of utility companies to protect the best interest of ratepayers.

“Families and businesses across our district, and the state, are hurting. This month’s utility rate hike has put most Connecticut residents in an even larger hole when it comes to affording necessities. This is a viable plan that would immediately reduce costs to ratepayers and give them a stronger voice at the table. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me to help the thousands of struggling people in the state,” said Sen. Cicarella.

He also reminded residents to use his office as a resource and to share their ideas on the proposal.

“Please do not hesitate to reach out to talk about these commonsense solutions. I will continue my efforts here in Hartford to be your voice when it comes to reining in exorbitant utility fees once and for all. This is a tremendous opportunity,” he said.

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Connecticut ranks number one in the continental United States as the most expensive state for electricity (Source: Energy Information Administration via Ownerly October 2021 through September 2022). This January, our state utilities implemented shocking rate increases, raising everyone’s electric bills by at least 43 percent at a time when families already face historic inflation.

The proposals detailed by Senate and House Republicans include:

• Moving charges resulting from public policy decisions from ratepayer bills to the state budget. (estimated savings: $362 million annually)

• Bringing all clean energy sources into the state’s green energy strategy by adding nuclear power and all sources of hydro power to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard program.

• Improving the Standard Service Procurement process by examining the differing ways CT’s large utilities, small municipal owned utilities, and other states all procure power.

• Restoring independence to utility rate regulators by separating PURA from DEEP.

• Giving PURA more discretion and flexibility in decoupling to protect ratepayers.

• Establishing utility rate case oversight to ensure that resolutions of rate cases and settlements are made in the best interest of ratepayers and not for other political considerations.

Click to read the plan.