Statement from State Rep. Tracy Marra Re: Lack of Specifics in Latest Democrat Energy Plan

“Following a summer and fall of ratepayer pain, I’m glad to hear some Democrats finally starting to talk about the high costs of energy in our state, unfortunately they were woefully short on specifics.

“The pressure everyday Connecticut ratepayers are experiencing is due to years of failed Democrat policies that have led to some of the highest energy costs in the entire nation and forced utility companies to walk a line between maintaining the electric grid and providing safe, reliable energy to customers who didn’t have to, or chose not to, pay their bills during a nearly-4-year government-mandated shutdown moratorium, and recovering those incredible costs.

“What the majority party isn’t talking about are specific substantial reforms like House Republicans have repeatedly proposed, including moving  the “Public Benefit Charges” permanently off ratepayer bills, capping all future Power Purchase Agreements to no more than 150% over the wholesale electric market price, redefining Class I renewable energy sources to enable competition to lower the cost of these energy sources, and restoring the independence of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), by separating it from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

“To date, only the Republican caucuses have offered specific, detailed plans to address these concerns. If we’re going to get serious about Connecticut’s energy issues, the governor needs to immediately appoint the statutorily required five commissioners to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), and the agency and the utility companies need to work together to help ratepayers.

“I look forward to a thorough and full discussion with Chairwoman Gillette when she comes before the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.”

State Representative Tracy Marra (R-141) is the Ranking Member of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee.