Rep. Hoxha Joins CT Republicans in Unveiling Plan to Reduce Energy Costs for Families
HARTFORD – Today, Senate and House Republican Leaders detailed a comprehensive package of policy proposals to reduce the cost of electric bills and make energy more affordable over the long term.
The policies will reduce energy costs for CT families by over $362 million per year, saving the average household over $210 next year. In the long run, the plan will drive down costs by even more and implement important ratepayer protections against utilities.
The package of legislative proposals will address two major goals:
- Make energy more affordable and reliable, by reducing costs immediately as well as expanding and encouraging reliable and affordable generation over the long term; and
- Ensure strong oversight of utility companies to protect the best interest of ratepayers.
“Today, I joined my fellow House Republicans in calling for a better path forward to directly address the affordability of our state. In some cases, families, seniors living on fixed incomes and veterans are barely getting by because their budgets are being absorbed by recent spikes in energy bills,” Rep. Hoxha said. “Public policies have also led to increased energy costs. We are calling for those fees to be removed from the bills to make it simple for customers to read them, know exactly what they are paying for and so the costs for families across Connecticut can be reduced. This is not about politics; it’s about providing financial breathing room for our hardworking residents and families.”
Connecticut ranks number one in the continental United States as the most expensive state for electricity (Source: Energy
Information Administration via Ownerly October 2021 through September 2022). This January, our state utilities implemented shocking rate increases, raising everyone’s electric bills by at least 43 percent at a time when families already face historic inflation.
The proposals detailed by Senate and House Republicans include:
- Moving charges resulting from public policy decisions from ratepayer bills to the state budget. (estimated savings: $362 million annually)
- Bringing all clean energy sources into the state’s green energy strategy by adding nuclear power and all sources of hydro power to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard program.
- Improving the Standard Service Procurement process by examining the differing ways CT’s large utilities, small municipal owned utilities, and other states all procure power.
- Restoring independence to utility rate regulators by separating PURA from DEEP.
- Giving PURA more discretion and flexibility in decoupling to protect ratepayers.
- Establishing utility rate case oversight to ensure that resolutions of rate cases and settlements are made in the best interest of ratepayers and not for other political considerations.
Rep. Hoxha can be contacted at Joe.Hoxha@housegop.ct.gov or (800) 842-1423 with any questions or concerns related to state government. You can also follow his legislative activity by visiting his website, www.cthousegop.com/hoxha/ or on Facebook here.