CT Senate GOP Offers Energy Rate Reduction Solutions, but Democrats Vote Them Down

May 7, 2024

“Electricity costs in CT are too damn high”

Senate Republicans Offer Ideas
to Provide Ratepayers Relief on Electric Bills

With steep electric rate hikes on the horizon, Connecticut Senate Republicans today sought to amend energy legislation to include a set of policy goals which aim to bring about long-term rate reduction, and long-term stability for consumers.

The Republicans are proposing to:

  1. limit all future Power Purchase Agreements so that no contract can be for more than 150% over the wholesale electric market price
  2. redefine Class I renewable energy sources to include all forms of hydropower and all nuclear power to lower the cost of renewable energy sources and bring relief for ratepayer
  3. separate the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)
  4. study ways to increase natural gas supply in the New England region
  5. study moving public policy charges off of ratepayer bills and into the budget

“Electricity costs in Connecticut are too damn high,” Sen. Ryan Fazio, Ranking Senator on the Energy and Technology Committee said. “One reason for that is that current government policies are inflating, rather than limiting, the cost of energy for individuals and families. We need to change the direction of our energy policies to stop future increases in electricity costs and eventually reduce them. Connecticut Republicans have a plan to reduce energy costs for every family in our state, and we’ll fight for it this year and for years to come.”

“Connecticut ratepayers are frustrated, and rightly so,” Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding said. “They feel the pain every month when their electric bill comes, and that pain is only getting worse. Our goal as lawmakers should be to pass policies which put consumers first. People on Main Street don’t see that happening under the current one-party rule. That is unacceptable to us as Republicans. We need real reform, and these solutions represent that real relief and stability.”

The Republicans’ amendment was voted down by majority Democrats.