Rep. Scott, CT House and Senate Republicans Offer Ideas to Provide Consumers Relief on Electric Bills
(Watch the press conference here: https://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=24133.)
Hartford, CT. — As Connecticut residents are opening up their January electricity bills, Connecticut Republicans today unveiled a detailed six-point plan to bring about stability and relief for consumers.
“We had proposals in February 2024, before enormous spikes on electric bills even took effect, but the Democrats decided not to even hold a public hearing on the ideas. I hope now that we’re in the long session they take up our common sense proposals,” said Rep. Tony Scott (R-Monroe).
One proposal is to separate the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
“We should at least get the conversation started on long-term changes. Right now, DEEP’s and PURA’s missions don’t align. PURA is supposed to be holding utilities accountable and making decisions that are in the best interest of the ratepayer. DEEP is pushing alternate energy, like wind, which currently is double the rate of natural gas,” said Rep. Scott.
“It’s time for majority party Democrats who control the energy agenda to acknowledge what utility ratepayers and analysts have made clear: their entire approach to energy policy, rooted in flawed priorities and misguided philosophy, has failed everyone,” House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said. “This session is an opportunity to shift toward affordability, and unfortunately their recent news conference made it clear they’re out of ideas. We urge Democrats to adopt our proposals as the foundation for the action residents want and deserve.”
The Republicans’ plan would:
1) remove Public Benefits Charges from electric bills
2) prohibit agreements that buy electricity at 150 % above the wholesale price
3) redefine “Class I renewable energy source” to include any
electricity generated from a hydropower or nuclear power generating facility
4) separate PURA from DEEP
5) eliminate any incentive program that increases electric demand
6) study ways to increase the supply of natural gas
The General Assembly session adjourns on June 4th.
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