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

HARTFORD – With steep electric rate hikes on the horizon, State Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) joined Connecticut Senate and House Republicans today 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.

“Residents across our district are extremely frustrated, especially when it comes to their electric bills. Each month, they feel the pain. This pain is solely due to the failed majority policies that have gotten us to this point. The most recent example being the years-long moratorium on shutoffs, which was totally irresponsible and now responsible ratepayers are on the hook. This is communism by any other name. Republicans have real solutions that put consumers first,” said Sen. Sampson.

Sen. Sampson 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 of ratepayer bills and into the budget