Senator Gordon: “I Stand with Connecticut Ratepayers, Not with the Utilities or Unaccountable Bureaucracy”

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) delivered a resolute defense of Connecticut’s families, seniors, job creators, and all those burdened by the state’s increasingly unaffordable energy costs. Speaking out in a stunning rebuke of a flawed process, misguided policy priorities, and a big failure to put ratepayers first, Gordon announced his strong opposition to the renomination of Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Chairwoman Marissa Gillett.

“I am continuing to stand up for and defend my constituents and the ratepayers of Connecticut,” said Senator Gordon. “My Republican colleagues and I have been fighting this fight for a long time. We’re not here to defend the utilities—they have their own lobbyists and PR machines. We’re here to defend the people who are footing the bill.”

Gordon called attention to the “sky-high electric bill crisis” that has hit Connecticut households and businesses hard, made worse by what he described as PURA’s poor decisions and lack of transparency. He pointed to the delayed implementation of public benefit program taxes last summer and the addition of an EV charger rebate tax in September—charges that impacted all residents, regardless of whether they own an electric vehicle or even a car.

“People who don’t own EVs—and can’t afford to—are being forced to subsidize those who do. That’s simply unfair,” Gordon said.

The senator also criticized PURA’s handling of a proposed $275 million refund from Eversource to ratepayers. Instead of returning the full amount, PURA has signaled support for refunding just $40 million—a mere 14.5% of what Eversource says ratepayers are owed.

“People need that relief now,” Gordon stated. “Why isn’t all of it going back to them?”

Citing repeated calls from constituents during 13 separate office hours held across his district, Senator Gordon said the number one concern he hears about is affordability.

“Our residents are asking: What is their government doing to help them? And sadly, the answer lately is: Not enough.”

Gordon emphasized that his opposition to Chairwoman Gillett’s renomination is not personal. “I’ve found her to be a nice and knowledgeable person. But this is about the role of PURA and how it’s being used. PURA should regulate—not legislate. Policy-making is the job of the legislature, and we must take back that responsibility.”

He criticized the recent failure of Senate Bill 647, a bipartisan effort he co-introduced to make electricity more affordable. Despite public support and a thorough public hearing, legislative Democrats in the Energy & Technology Committee refused to advance the bill after a party-line vote.

“That did nothing to help the people of Connecticut,” Gordon said. “We need a better way of doing things—both short-term and in the long-run—when it comes to energy policy.”

Gordon cited as well news reports of a behind the scenes, last minute, political deal made to get Marissa Gillet’s nomination through the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee by promising a plum, high paying job on the PURA to a Senator to get his vote.

In closing, Senator Gordon issued a call for reform and accountability, “We can and we must do better here in Connecticut. Reforming PURA would be a much-needed first step. For these reasons, I cannot support the process or this vote on Chairwoman Gillett’s renomination. Our constituents deserve better.”