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Local lawmaker seeks to build on Take Back Our Grid Act progress

Building on the Take Back Our Grid Act, a local lawmaker is touting a piece of legislation aimed at protecting Connecticut electric customers.  Danbury Representative David Arconti led House passage of the bill meant to bring consumer protections and more piece of mind to ratepayers when trying to better understand their electric choices. 

It mandates provisions in new electric supplier contracts and prohibit the assignment or transfer of customers without their approval.  Arconti says the bill also eliminates early termination fees and closes variable rate legacy provisions. 

The proposal was sent to the Senate for further action. 

Arconti also touted a recent decision by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority meant to help consumers following the agency's investigation into Tropical Storm Isaias response.  PURA ordered and ORE reduction, a cut to allowable profit margin.  Arconti says that would reduce their distribution rates.  A $30 million civil penalty was also ordered.  It can not be made up for in rate hikes down the road because it's not recoverable that way under state statute. 

PURA proposed the penalty be returned in the form of a bill credit to ratepayers. 

PURA is still working on implementing the full Take Back Our Grid Act.  That bill would hold Electric Distribution Companies Legally Liable through compensation to customers for lost food and medicine during prolonged outages, requires minimum in-state staffing, the burying of power lines, and proposes rate increases tied to corporate profits.  It would also bring more electric options to consumers and decentralize the grid.

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Markley van Camp Robbins

Local Headlines