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Office of Consumer Counsel urges affordability focus, PBR transparency and raises Aquarion sale concerns
Summary
The state Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) told legislators it is prioritizing affordability, performance‑based regulation (PBR), scrutiny of transmission and condition‑related utility projects, and oversight of a pending sale of Aquarion Water Company to the Regional Water Authority.
The Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) told legislators it is focused on keeping utility costs affordable, increasing transparency around distribution planning and performance‑based regulation, and ensuring that procurements and transmission investments are reviewed with ratepayers in mind.
"We do a wide range of work on behalf of customers," OCC director Claire Coleman said, noting OCC’s active role in PURA dockets, regional proceedings and appellate litigation. She described OCC’s priorities as protecting consumers in retail‑supply markets, scrutinizing transmission and asset‑condition investments, and pushing for more data and transparency from utilities so performance‑based regulation can be effective.
Coleman said OCC has long sought clearer accounting of transmission investments and urged scrutiny of the growing share of asset‑condition and repair projects in transmission spending. On performance‑based regulation, OCC said the approach can improve transparency and align incentives but requires robust data collection and careful design.
OCC also raised concerns about the announced deal for Aquarion Water Company to be acquired by the Regional Water Authority (RWA). "We are concerned and intend to be proactive in terms of ensuring that Aquarion customers are protected," Coleman said, noting the announced sale price raised questions about future rate impacts. OCC said it will participate in any change‑of‑control proceeding and ask PURA for protections for existing customers.
Why it matters: OCC is the statutory consumer advocate; its participation in PURA dockets and regional planning helps ensure ratepayer perspectives are represented. OCC emphasized that policy changes and utility investments need data and transparency to protect consumers and avoid stranded costs.
OCC said it will continue to monitor retail‑supply markets, broadband and water proceedings and will press for final decisions that align customer affordability, service quality and long‑term planning.
