Ellen Katz, energy and consumer advocate, testifies for Siting Council chair; committee moves nomination, vote left open

Ellen Katz, an attorney and former Connecticut consumer counsel, testified April 10 before the General Assembly's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee in support of her nomination to chair the Connecticut Siting Council. Committee members moved the Senate resolution to advance her nomination; the committee said it would keep the formal roll call open until 4 p.m.

Katz told the committee she has served on the Siting Council since the previous fall and described experience that includes eight years as Connecticut's consumer counsel, work at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission building its Office of Public Participation, and roles with federal energy programs. She emphasized public education, transparency and efforts to make hearings accessible to the public.

Why it matters: The Siting Council reviews and approves energy infrastructure and certain telecommunications projects in Connecticut, including transmission lines, battery-storage facilities, solar on certain sites and large telecommunications towers. Decisions affect utility reliability, land use, local scenic values and…