Senator Gordon Continues to Demand an Immediate Special Session to Help Residents Struggling with their Electric Bills

HARTFORD – State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) continues to lead an effort with his Republican colleagues in the Senate and House to call for a special legislative session to address the sky-high electric rates impacting people, businesses, and municipalities across Connecticut.

“Today is Day number 59 of the electric bill crisis. People are hurting. They are outraged. I am outraged. Enough is enough! The time is now to go into a special session to fix this significant problem, providing imminent relief to struggling ratepayers and creating long-term solutions to energy unaffordability in this state. The people of Connecticut deserve it. I call once again upon my Democratic colleagues and the Governor to work in a bipartisan way with my Republican colleagues and me,” Senator Gordon remarked.

Senate and House Republicans joined together once again in person at the Capitol this week to demand a special session, calling on legislative majority leaders and the Governor to convene a special session and address the soaring rates felt statewide.

Sen. Gordon encouraged people to let their voices be heard. Republicans have launched SpecialSessionCT.com, a website where residents can demand immediate action from their state government to address this issue. He urged residents to fill out the form and send letters to their elected officials urging action on this pressing issue.

“We have spent the last few months listening to the people. This is the clear, number one issue I have heard from my constituents, and I have taken their stories to heart. But we aren’t just listening, we are taking action. Connecticut Republicans have acknowledged that the need for state intervention in the short term is acute. We are offering solutions and calling to meet and address these issues immediately. We cannot wait, we must act now,” Senator Gordon added.

The key components of the proposed Republican plan to address energy affordability in Connecticut include:

• Permanently removing “Public Benefit Charges” from ratepayer bills and putting them in the state budget.
• Providing immediate relief by reallocating unobligated end-of-year American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and exploring additional budgetary options. This would cover costs linked to the moratorium on electric service shutoffs and the expenses associated with electric vehicle charging programs, while maximizing available funds for further rate relief.
• Capping all future Power Purchase Agreements at no more than 150% of the wholesale electric market price.
• Redefining Class I renewable energy sources to foster competition and lower energy costs.
• Restoring the independence of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) by separating it from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). And requiring the PURA to have its full membership of 5 Commissioners, not just 3 that has been the case for too many years.

Sen. Gordon has office hours on August 29th, 8:30-10 AM in Stafford, and on September 3rd, 5:30-7 PM in Woodstock. He is often out and about all 13 towns of the 35th Senate District. Reach out to him any time.

Senator Jeff Gordon
[email protected]
860-240-8816