Sen. Berthel, CT Senate and House GOP Offer Ideas to Provide Ratepayers Relief on Electric Bills

February 23, 2024

With steep electric rate hikes on the horizon, Chief Deputy Republican Leader Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) is joining Connecticut Senate and House Republicans to unveil a set of policy goals that aim to bring about long-term rate reduction, long-term stability, and short-term relief for consumers.

 

“Ratepayers deserve better, and we must acknowledge when the current system is not working. With the second highest electricity rates in the continental United States, Connecticut can do much better. The ideas that Republicans are outlining today are a step towards meaningful savings for ratepayers. Particularly, utilizing unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would help to offset the additional proposed rate increase in May—that comes from state government’s extended shutoff moratorium. I encourage my colleagues on both sides to join us in this effort,” said Sen. Berthel.

 

Sen. Berthel and Republicans are proposing to:

 

  1. limit all future Power Purchase Agreements so that no contract can be for more than 100% over the wholesale electric market price
  2. provide relief to ratepayers by using unspent ARPA money to pay down the portion of the proposed Revenue Adjustment Mechanism adjustment that is attributed to arrearages as a result of the shut off moratorium
  3. redefine Class I renewable energy sources to include all forms of hydropower and all nuclear power to lower the cost of these energy sources and bring relief for ratepayers
  4. separate the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)
  5. study ways to increase natural gas supply in the New England region
  6. study moving public policy charges off ratepayer bills and into the budget