Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Office of Consumer Counsel seeks consultant support to expand federal and ISO work on electricity transmission costs
Summary
The Office of Consumer Counsel told the Appropriations subcommittee it seeks a modest operating expense increase to hire technical consultants for work before ISO New England and FERC, and to upgrade computing and training for staff handling electricity, water and telecom regulation.
HARTFORD — Connecticuts Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) asked the Appropriations subcommittee for a small increase in operating expenses to hire technical consultants and to refresh computers and training for staff who represent ratepayers in state and federal proceedings.
The OCCs executive told lawmakers the office represents Connecticut ratepayers in proceedings before the state telecom and utility regulator and increasingly before regional and federal bodies such as ISO New England and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). "We represent Connecticut ratepayers at NEPOOL [sic: ISO New England advisory bodies]...We've been engaging more in review and oversight of transmission costs because we've seen that become a rising cost on customer bills," the OCC director said.
Why it matters: Lawmakers questioned the office on how it will scrutinize formula-rate transmission proposals and defend consumer interests in complex federal dockets. The OCC said the additional technical consulting funding would allow it to engage formula-rate experts and strengthen its representation in regional policy matters.
Key points
- Requested increases: The OCC requested an approximately $100,000 increase for technical consultants specializing in regional wholesale markets and transmission formula rate review. The office also asked for roughly $8,500 for computer refreshes and $20,000 for additional training and travel.
- Reason: The OCC argued its staff must match technical expertise used by utilities and regional entities to evaluate transmission-related cost proposals and formula-rate filings.
- Areas of work: The OCC said it appears before the state regulator (PURA) on most proceedings and is expanding work before ISO New England and FERC to address rising transmission-related charges on customer bills.
Quotes and oversight
"Having consultant support to help with those technical aspects is really important," the OCC director said, describing the need for independent formula-rate review. "This is a very technical, weedy process. You really need expertise from someone who's been reviewing these formula rates."
The director also described investments in staff training to deepen in-house expertise and to ensure new staff can keep pace with technical dockets.
Next steps
Lawmakers asked for more information on the OCC's federal work and on costs. The OCC offered to follow up with a detailed briefing about its FERC and ISO engagement and to provide more granular budget detail at the working group.
Ending: The subcommittee agreed the OCC's upgraded technical support could strengthen consumer representation on regional transmission issues and asked for a follow-up briefing and a more detailed cost accounting.
