Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Costs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee sends utility cost‑allocation bill to ITL after heated debate over ratepayer protections
Summary
A proposal to bar utilities from passing certain non‑customer‑benefit costs (memberships, sponsorships, some advertising) to ratepayers was sent to interim study (ITL) by a 12–6 vote after debate over constitutionality, PUC authority and whether the amendments were appropriately narrow.
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee on Feb. 17 voted 12–6 to recommend 'Inexpedient to Legislate' (ITL) on a bill that would restrict utilities from passing certain corporate and marketing costs to ratepayers.
Representative Nader moved ITL, arguing the bill would impose government overreach and impose new regulatory burdens on utilities already subject to PUC oversight. Proponents of changing the law, including Representative Korman and others, presented an amendment that narrowed the original text to remove adjudicated‑proceeding costs and focus on items they described as not benefiting customers — membership dues, sponsorships and advertising — while allowing the PUC to determine exceptions for costs that directly benefit ratepayers.
Representative Thomas offered a memorable remark to illustrate the policy point: “All this bill is saying is that they can buy their own cheese platters and not pass the cost onto the ratepayers.” Supporters said the change would keep consumers from footing bills for corporate memberships and promotional spending; opponents warned the measure risked a constitutional takings claim if it prevented utilities from recovering legitimate business costs and that the PUC is the appropriate venue to judge reasonableness.
Committee members debated whether the proposed language was workable and whether it would prompt litigation; Representative Harrington noted Connecticut is in court on related questions. The motion to ITL carried 12–6; Representative Nader will write the majority report and the minority position (opting to pass with amendment) will be filed by proponents.
Next steps: the majority report will accompany the ITL recommendation; proponents plan to submit a narrowed amendment in the minority report if they continue to press the measure.
