Fighting an Uphill Battle for Rate Relief and SB647

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last week, the Energy & Technology Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 647, An Act Concerning Protections for Consumer Access to Affordable Electricity, a detailed six-point Republican plan to streamline our state’s energy policies and reduce bills for ratepayers.

The committee received more than 750 pieces of written correspondence and dozens of concerned citizens came to Hartford to testify in person. Naturally, there were some who spoke in opposition or pointed out ways to improve our bill, but the overwhelming response was incredibly positive as hundreds upon hundreds of letters in support demonstrate.

Unfortunately, the majority party Democrat chairs of the committee chose not to include SB647 on a list of bills to consider for further action, effectively killing the measure without a vote by the full committee.

Last week, at the opening of our meeting and as Ranking Member of the committee, I introduced an amendment to include SB647 on the day’s agenda for an up or down vote by the committee. Sadly, even getting this detailed measure on the agenda was too much for the committee chairs and our amendment was voted down along party lines by a vote of 16 to 8.

To date, ONLY the Republican caucuses have presented a detailed plan to tackle the high cost of energy in our state. While Democrats summarily reject our ideas as unworkable, they have yet to provide a framework of their policies and ideas. Instead, their “signature legislation” is SB4, an unfinished and, to date, incredibly one-sided document.

The chairs have stated their willingness to work with Republicans, it’s time we hold their feet to the fire. The people of Connecticut are struggling to pay their energy bills.

The ratepayers of our state deserve better.