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Committee hears proposals to bar utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotions and perks
Summary
Witnesses and municipal leaders urged passage of S2239/H3400 to stop utilities from recovering lobbying, trade association dues and promotional expenses from ratepayers; supporters cited examples and neighboring states' laws; sponsors said the bill mirrors reforms adopted elsewhere.
Municipal officials, environmental groups and consumer advocates asked the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy to advance legislation that would prohibit electric and gas utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues and executive perks.
Senate Majority Leader (Sen.) Creem testified in support of S2239 and described the bill as modeled on laws recently passed in Colorado, Connecticut and Maine. She told the committee the legislation "would protect ratepayers and promote energy affordability by prohibiting utilities from recovering from ratepayers the cost of lobbying, corporate promotions, and swag, trade association dues, perks for the…
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