Gary Turco

Thursday the legislature's Energy & Technology Committee held an informational forum on Eversource's Tropical Storm Isaias response and July 2020 electric rate increases.

If you have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic and are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) partnered to offer temporary assistance programs.

On the steps of the State Capitol Monday, State Senator Norm Needleman and State Representative David Arconti, the chairs of the Energy and Technology Committee, and ranking committee members unveiled the "Take Back Our Grid Act." The legislation seeks to hold Connecticut utilities responsible and provide stronger protections for ratepayers.

You have the opportunity to express your opinion on the recent rate increase by Eversource. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has announced a hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 24 to conduct a review of Eversource to determine if the utility is benefiting from increased revenues at ratepayer expense.

As of 4 p.m. today, just over 1 percent of Newington residents were still without power. While we have our lights back on, many in our area continue to recover from the storm and grapple with the destruction left by Tropical Storm Isaias. There are a number of resources to help answer some of the questions you have during this time.

Our state has been devastated by Tropical Storm Isaias, causing over 700,000 power outages across Connecticut, prompting Governor Ned Lamont Wednesday to apply for an emergency declaration from the federal government. The declaration was approved and allows Connecticut to request direct federal assistance to bolster its response. 

From the floor of the House and Senate to social media and public rallies, the debate surrounding House Bill 6004, An Act Concerning Police Accountability was often intense and passionate. Republicans who opposed this legislation often misrepresented the reforms contained in the bill, even though they played a significant role in crafting it from the very beginning.

*UPDATED* After the legislature reached out with our concerns, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) ordered Eversource to restore prior rates as of June 30, no later than August 7, while their investigation continues. We have also been informed that PURA is planning a hearing in August.