State Leaders Unveil "Take Back Our Grid Act"

August 20, 2020

Tropical Storm Isaias ripped through our state two weeks ago, leaving residents in the dark for days. Thanks to the brave line workers and responders on the front lines, residents have had their power restored. However, high-level executives of Connecticut's utility companies are now under scrutiny for their woeful and irresponsible response to the storm.

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. 

The bill will have three key focuses should it be approved in future legislative sessions:

1.  Justice for Ratepayers:
Hold Electric Distribution Companies Legally Liable

  • Compensation for Consumers & Required Back-Up Generation for Critical Needs Customers: $100 a Day after 48 Hours & $500 for Lost Food & Medicine
  • Bolstering the Civil Penalty Authority of PURA
  • Change the legal liability of utility companies to hold them accountable

2.  Storm Preparedness:
Reforms for Electric Distribution Companies to Better Handle Severe Weather

  • Require minimum in-state payroll staffing of line workers to restore power after major outages
  • Mandate burying power lines where possible

3.  Customers over Shareholders
Curbs Excessive Profits Among Corporate Utility Companies

  • Freeze on rate increases
  • More electric options for consumers and a more decentralized power grid
  • Local options for renewable energy
  • Public hearings on how rates are set
  • Relevant stakeholder groups are represented in PURA dockets

For nearly a decade, our state has been trapped in an endless cycle of broken promises from our utility companies vowing to do better, only to find ourselves in the dark for days after a disastrous storm. 

I am committed to working alongside the committee, state leaders and regulators, colleagues, and the utility companies to hold utilities accountable and create better oversight.

The Energy and Technology Committee has scheduled an informational hearing for August 27, where members will ask questions of James Judge, Eversource CEO, about the utility company's failure to respond to Tropical Storm Isaias adequately and how we can prevent this in the future.