Newsletter 5/20/2022

May 24, 2022

I hope you had a wonderful week. In this e-newsletter, you'll find information on:

  • Legislative Spotlight: School Air Quality Improvements
  • Child Tax Payment
  • Updates from PURA
  • Mental Health Awareness Month Outreach Event
 
Legislative Spotlight
The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the need to improve indoor air quality in our schools to keep students and staff safe and healthy. The historic budget we passed in the legislative session invests $150 million in a new reimbursement grant to assist schools in upgrading their HVAC systems and making other air quality improvements. The program will launch in 2023!

Additionally, boards of education will be required to conduct a uniform inspection and evaluation of the HVAC system in each school building every five years and take any necessary corrective actions. The budget bill also establishes a working group to study and make recommendations related to indoor air quality in schools. 

As a Board of Education member, I was a strong supporter of school air quality improvements. I'm thrilled to see these investments being made in schools across our state, especially in older school buildings that need it most. If you have any questions about this initiative, please reach out to me!

 
Child Tax Payment
As a result of our recently passed budget, Connecticut families can soon apply to receive a state tax rebate of up to $250 per child for a maximum of three children. Applications will open on June 1st. To apply, visit portal.ct.gov/DRS and click the icon that says, “2022 CT Child Tax Rebate." 
Anyone who is interested in seeking a payment must apply to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services by July 31, 2022 - recipients will receive funds beginning in late August.
 
Updates from PURA
Electric Standard Service Generation Rates

Electric standard service rates are adjusted twice each year – on January 1 and July 1. United Illuminating customers will see a decrease in their supply rates on July 1 compared to January 1; however, the decrease is less significant than in prior cycles due to the global supply chain issues surrounding natural gas. If you have any questions, please contact UI at 1-800-722-5584 or contact PURA’s call center for additional assistance.

Performance-Based Regulation

With the passage of  the Take Back Our Grid Act in 2020, PURA was required to establish a performance-based regulation (PBR) framework that contains standards and metrics to measure how electric distribution companies are meeting the needs of rate payers. If you're interested in learning more about PBR, click here for a helpful explainer video.

PURA has opened Docket No. 21-05-15PURA Investigation Into a Performance-Based Regulation Framework for the Electric Distribution Companies. If you are interested in following this proceeding, you can do so here, and if you’d like to go on record by submitting comments, you can do so here.

 
Mental Health Awareness Month Outreach Event
The Connecticut Psychological Association is hosting their annual statewide event for Mental Health Awareness Month on Wednesday, May 25th at 7:30PM. Open to all, this Zoom event will offer excellent resources and information to enhance your well-being. 

Join via Zoom at: https://tinyurl.com/CPAMHAMOE
Zoom Passcode: 025077