This summer, Connecticut residents saw seismic increases in their electric bills. Now, the governor and state legislators are considering a special session to address these increases.
Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau calls on the General Assembly and Governor Ned Lamont to hold a special session.
“Connecticut’s people are routinely burdened with some of the highest energy costs in the nation, and the recent surge in ‘public benefit’ charges has rightly enraged ratepayers across the state,” Liebau said. “Immediate action is needed to reduce our energy costs and make our state more affordable.”
“Millions of unspent ARPA funds are still available to address the energy costs that have hit Connecticut’s hardworking families the hardest. Rather than spending those taxpayer funds on pet projects and ‘green’ initiatives, policymakers should use them to correct previous policy mistakes.”
“Furthermore, our regulators and legislators should eliminate subsidies for EV charging stations. These subsidies have largely gone to the wealthy, while the broader population struggles to keep lights on and groceries on the table. Redirecting this support could provide much-needed relief to hardworking residents and small businesses.”
State lawmakers and Governor Lamont should side with ratepayers and call a special session. For years, policymakers have passed legislation favoring certain types of energy over others for electricity generation, which increases energy prices. Ratepayers can no longer afford to support every pet energy project that legislators envision.
To call a special session, the governor or two-thirds of the House and Senate must consent. During the session, legislators should:
- Consider using some of the federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to bring down the rate increases. Connecticut could have as much as $700 million in ARPA funding still available
- Include hydro and nuclear power in Connecticut’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, allowing electricity providers to choose the lowest-cost sources of electricity generation available, rather than a mandatory minimum of expensive solar and wind power
- Require that Public Benefits Charges on electric bills be approved by the General Assembly. Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently authorized another $80 million to support Electric Vehicle (EV) charging rebates without needing the General Assembly’s approval
- Restrict Power Purchase Agreements to rates at or below 150% of the wholesale price for electricity
About Yankee Institute
Yankee Institute is a research and citizen organization founded in 1984 under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. YI is committed to empowering Connecticut’s people to forge a brighter future for themselves and their families.
###
