Committee reports David Arcanti Jr. favorably for Public Utilities Regulatory Authority after Q&A on rate cases and agency structure

The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee voted Thursday to report favorably on the nomination of David Arcanti Jr. of Brookfield to be a commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) after a public hearing in which Arcanti reviewed his background and answered lawmakers' questions about active rate cases, agency procedure and ethics.

Arcanti, who told the committee he has served in an interim capacity at PURA since Aug. 5, described his regulatory approach in opening remarks: "I am honored to be nominated to serve as commissioner at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority," and said "effective regulators are decisive, independent, and respectful." He told committee members the agency's central duty is to set rates "sufficient, but no more than sufficient" to allow utilities to cover prudent operating and capital costs.

The hearing centered on Arcanti's record during roughly six months at PURA and on policy matters the agency is handling. Arcanti said PURA currently has two active rate proceedings involving Yankee Gas Company and United Illuminating, and he has…