Lower Electric Bills On the Way

August 20, 2025

Relief is on the way for electricity customers paying high bills. I'll break down how the state is making energy more affordable for everyone.

The governor signed an important gun safety bill into law this month. Keep scrolling to learn how this legislation will increase public safety in Waterbury.

You're encouraged to sign up for the CT Alert emergency notification system. I'll explain how it can help you prepare for extreme weather any time of year.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Lower Electric Bills on the Way
  • Gun Safety Bill Signed Into Law
  • Sign Up for CT Alert Emergency Notifications
 

Lower Electric Bills on the Way

Lower electric prices are on the way! The State Bond Commission approved the release of $155 million to reduce the public benefit charges on your bill. This action is a result of bipartisan energy affordability legislation (Senate Bill 4) that I was proud to co-sponsor during the 2025 legislative session.

Specifically, the funding will reduce costs associated with:

  • Hardship protection programs: $125 million will go towards assisting low-income customers who struggle to pay their electric bills
  • Electric vehicle charging programs: $30 million will cover costs related to the state's EV charging infrastructure and integration

This aforementioned funding may cut your bill by about $5-$10 per month, likely taking effect in September and continuing for several months into 2026. More state bond funding is expected to be released in 2026 and should enable this savings to continue into at least the first several months of 2027.

This initiative is one step toward making energy more affordable for everyone and complements a:

  • 25% reduction in public benefits charges approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in May
  • Supply rate reductions for Eversource (13%) and United Illuminating (14%) that took effect on July 1
 

Gun Safety Bill Signed Into Law

Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill into law that I was proud to co-sponsor, introducing new measures aimed at reducing gun violence and increasing accountability within the firearm industry. It allows civil lawsuits against gun industry members who fail to act responsibly and strengthens firearm permit laws.

Key provisions of the bill include:


Gun industry accountability:

  • Enables civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who fail to exercise reasonable control over the marketing, sale, and distribution of their firearms
  • This makes Connecticut one of the few states allowing civil action against members of the firearm industry under state law

Closing permit loopholes:

  • Out-of-state convictions: Individuals convicted of crimes in other states that would be disqualifying in Connecticut are now also ineligible for firearm permits in the state
  • Applies to convictions within the past 8 years

Age restriction expansion:

  • The prohibition on selling certain semi-automatic rifles to individuals under 21 now extends to private sales, not just sales by licensed dealers

Connecticut is recognized as having some of the strongest gun laws in the U.S., and this bill is seen as a significant step toward enhanced public safety and industry accountability.
 

Sign Up for CT Alert Emergency Notifications

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is urging everyone to sign up for the CT Alert emergency notification system as extreme weather incidents continue to increase.

According to DESPP, more than 5,000 residents signed up for CT Alert over the last month — more than during any one of the last three years, bringing the total to nearly 226,000 people who have signed up for the emergency notifications.

DESPP offered a number of tips on how to prepare for potential severe weather:

  • Download the CTPrepares app for your mobile phone so you know how to prepare for any emergency
  • Create an emergency kit to keep in your home so you are ready for any emergency
  • Put together a “go bag” with copies of important documents, prescriptions, battery-operated radio, and other items such as a cell phone charger
  • Make sure you have an evacuation plan, particularly if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone

You can sign up for CT alert system online or by texting CTALERT to 888-777.