Connecticut Senate Bill SB00094

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25

Caption

An Act Concerning The Independence Of The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Impact

If enacted, this bill is expected to significantly impact state laws concerning the regulation of utilities by allowing PURA to operate more independently from DEEP. Proponents of the bill believe that this change will foster a regulatory environment that is more responsive to the evolving needs of the state's energy and utility markets. The separation could lead to more specialized oversight and potentially more rapid decision-making in regulatory matters, reflecting a more adaptive approach to the state's energy policies.

Summary

SB00094, titled 'An Act Concerning The Independence Of The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority,' proposes to amend the general statutes with the aim of separating the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The rationale behind this separation is to enhance the operational autonomy of PURA, which is responsible for overseeing the regulation of public utilities within the state. This separation is posited as a necessary reform to streamline regulatory processes and improve accountability within the utilities sector.

Contention

However, the proposal has raised concerns among some stakeholders who argue that integrating PURA more closely with DEEP has provided necessary checks and balances. Critics of the bill could contend that such a separation may lead to fragmentation in regulatory oversight, complicating the oversight of energy and environmental policies in the state. The debate around the bill may focus on how to balance independence with the need for coordinated policy-making across environmental and utility regulations.