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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 the bills “radically change the current power structure at PURA” and said important rate, reliability and safety decisions are “too important to have 1 person decide those issues.” Kim Harriman, senior vice president at Avangrid (United Illuminating’s parent), said the bills would “reduce the number of deciders basically down to 1,” and urged maintaining multiple voices with different backgrounds.
Public advocates and consumer groups: Some consumer advocates and environmental groups said the current configuration has been working. Connor Ikaitis of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters said the existing structure “is working for consumers” and urged preserving it. Alice‑party witnesses including the National Hispanic Energy Council emphasized representation and the need for multiple perspectives in decisions that affect affordability.
Governance and transparency questions: Several witnesses raised procedural concerns unrelated to the headcount: Eversource lawyers said they had identified a practice where thousands of administrative decisions appeared under the executive secretary’s signature but without a recorded vote of the full authority; the company has asked the courts for clarification. That point sharpened discussion about transparency and whether all final decisions should be clearly recorded as votes by named commissioners.
Why it matters: PURA decisions affect electric and natural gas rates, water utilities, grid investments and consumer protections. Witnesses argued differing balances between speed, staff workload and the protections that a multi‑member panel provides. Multiple speakers urged that whether PURA is three or five commissioners, the agency needs transparent processes, clear voting records and enough staff capacity to review complex dockets.
Looking ahead: Lawmakers pressed for clearer statutory language and for ensuring nominations are timely so vacancies do not impair the agency’s work. Several witnesses urged caution before changing the law that governs how utility decisions are made and recorded, noting unsettled court actions questioning recent PURA practices.
