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Utilities, unions and advocates split over proposals to change PURA’s structure; utilities warn against single‑commissioner decisions
Summary
Bills that would alter the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s composition and allow single‑commissioner decision panels drew sharp debate. Utilities, unions and consumer groups differed on whether 3 commissioners or 5 better serve ratepayers; several witnesses warned against letting one person make final determinations.
Lawmakers heard competing views about plans to change the structure of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the authority’s decisionmaking rules.
What was proposed: Senate Bill 1193 would reduce the maximum allowed number of PURA commissioners (a return to earlier language some proponents described as reverting a 2019 implementer change). A related bill would allow the chair to designate a single commissioner to hear and decide matters that formerly were decided by a three‑member panel.
Utility and union testimony: Utility lawyers and union leaders urged the committee to preserve multi‑member decision panels. Vincent Pace, assistant general counsel at Eversource, told the committee…
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