Connecticut House Bill HB06048

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/15
• Refer: 1/22/15

Caption

An Act Separating The Functions Of The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority From The Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection.

Impact

The separation outlined in HB 6048 could have significant implications for how energy regulation is implemented within the state. By creating a distinct agency for public utilities, the bill seeks to enhance the effectiveness and focus of regulatory efforts related to utility services. Advocates of this bill argue that an independent agency will better serve the needs of utility oversight and provide a clearer regulatory framework that could lead to more efficient service delivery.

Summary

House Bill 6048 aims to separate the functions of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). This bill is introduced with the intent to reverse the merger that previously combined these two departments, suggesting that their functions should operate independently for better regulatory oversight. The proposed legislation envisions establishing a new state agency dedicated specifically to the functions of PURA, while renaming DEEP to solely focus on environmental protection.

Contention

However, the bill may also raise points of contention around the efficiency of splitting these two functions. Critics could argue that this separation might lead to increased bureaucracy and potential misalignment in policy between energy regulation and environmental protections. The effectiveness of such a change in administrative structure remains a debated topic among stakeholders in both the energy sector and environmental advocacy.

Notable_points

Overall, HB 6048 reflects ongoing discussions about the best ways to manage and regulate public services and their environmental impact. The re-establishment of a distinct agency for utilities could lead to increased accountability and a clearer focus on consumer protections within the energy sector while still addressing environmental concerns through a dedicated department.