Bolinsky Votes Against PURA Chair

Seeks an Independent Regulator

HARTFORD— State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) on Wednesday voted against the re-appointment of Marissa Gillett as Chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

“I felt strongly that a ‘Nay’ vote on the renomination of Chairwoman Gillett would have been the choice of an overwhelming majority of my district’s constituents, businesses, and nonprofits.  Every one of us has been shocked and negatively impacted by the outrageous explosion we’ve experienced in the cost of energy in Connecticut,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “During her first term as the lead regulator of PURA, our electric bills have skyrocketed to be the second highest in the nation, topped only by the island state of Hawaii, out in middle of the Pacific Ocean. Turning on the lights has become unaffordable in our state, and it’s a regulator’s job to act in the best interests of those they serve, yet we continue to see exponential increases in our monthly bills, mostly driven by the piling-on of Public Benefits charges. To a bipartisan 52 House of Representatives members, myself included, a ‘Yea’ vote would have been like endorsing more of the same, at a time when Eversource is reportedly considering adding another $35 to the Public Benefits charges on our bills!” all of which are approved by PURA, without a vote of the legislature.”

Bolinsky continued, “Some of my colleagues argued that Chairwoman had no choice but to approve all those increases – that they were all driven by legislative policy mandates, and people above Ms. Gillett.  As much as I respect the chairwoman’s knowledge and past experience as a regulator, I feel a big part of PURA’s mission is to push back, regardless of whether that pushback is directed at a utility, or one’s leadership. My colleagues and I also believe a regulatory agency like PURA should not report to our state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) – their missions are not compatible.  We’ve voiced our concerns and have been calling for an independent PURA and other regulatory reforms for a couple of years, ever since the increases began.”

 The Republican plan would:

• Remove Public Benefits Charges from electric bills
• Prohibit agreements that buy electricity at 150 % above the wholesale price
• Redefine “Class I renewable energy source” to include electricity generated by hydropower or nuclear power
• Separate PURA from DEEP
• Eliminate incentive programs that increase electric demand, including electric vehicle rebates
• Study ways to increase the supply of natural gas

“During her first term, we’ve seen a troubling pattern of unilateral decision-making, lack of transparency, and regulatory overreach that has alienated stakeholders and eroded public trust. Connecticut residents deserve a balanced, accountable PURA — not one that operates behind closed doors and without sufficient oversight. For these reasons, I had to vote ‘Nay’, concluded Rep. Bolinsky.

The House of the Representatives reappointed Gillett by a 91-52 tally, with 7 Democrats joining 45 House Republicans in opposition.