Now we are turning to you to take action.
At the end of this report is a message from Save the Sound, giving you the details of how to take action. The outrageous bullying of the legislature and of Chair Marissa Gillett was named for the show of weakness that it is at the presser. We made it clear that the utilities always have recourse to a court of law if they wish to challenge PURA’s regulatory decisions. The fact that they choose bullying instead of legal recourse demonstrates how weak their position is. Chair Gillett’s background is deep in regulatory work and her innovative leadership addressing energy challenges in this time of climate chaos is absolutely crucial. She stands out among all states’ regulatory leaders and must NOT be bullied out of her position.
If you are in Rep. Concepcion’s district in Hartford, Rep. Sanchez’ district in New Britain area, or Senator Fonfara’s in Hartford, please get on the phone to them immediately. If you know them in some other way, please call. They are the Dems who are waffling.
The rest of us need to “flood the zone” with testimony at the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee (see below). We can make them sit up and take notice, but we need a lot of us to testify. You don’t need to be an expert. See the talking points below!
This is absolutely crucial to CT’s energy future. The utilities don’t want to be regulated effectively. They don’t want innovation of grid-related projects and processes. They want to make this about Marissa Gillett in a classic misogynist move against a powerful woman. We need to stop them.
A message from our ally “Save the Sound”
Subject: Don’t Let Your Electric Bill Skyrocket – Speak Up Now!
Connecticut’s electric rates are already some of the highest in the country, and without strong oversight, they could get worse.
Your voice can help hold our utilities accountable.
Connecticut’s electric rates are already some of the highest in the country—and without strong oversight, they could get worse. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) plays a crucial role in keeping costs fair and holding big utility companies accountable.
But now, those same companies are trying to weaken PURA by blocking the reappointment of its experienced leader, Marissa Gillett. Read on to learn how you can fight back.
PURA keeps the utility system fair and affordable. Here’s how.
PURA, which sits within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is the government agency responsible for overseeing our state’s utilities, including electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications companies, to ensure they provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable service and infrastructure. PURA sets your utility rates, ensures natural gas pipeline safety, keeps our water infrastructure running smoothly, and regulates the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.
PURA’s Chair is up for re-appointment—why should you care?
Throughout her tenure, Chairman Gillett has:
Provided fair and expert leadership to the authority,
Held utilities accountable and defended against rate increases (including voting against the Millstone repayment scheme that increased your electricity bills last year),
Overseen a series of complex dockets to implement the legislature’s grid modernization priorities, including more closely aligning utility compensation with performance.
Now, utility companies are pushing hard to stop her re-appointment. They want less regulation and less accountability, which would be bad news for ratepayers. Without a strong independent regulator, there is nothing to prevent utilities from passing exorbitant and imprudent costs on to you.
Speak up for Marissa Gillett as a fair and experienced regulator.
You can show support for Gillett’s re-appointment in two ways:
Submitting testimony at the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee’s public hearing on Thursday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. You don’t need to be an expert to testify—legislators want to hear from people like you who care about a fairly regulated utility system.
Additionally, you can join advocates, legislators, and concerned citizens at the Governor’s press conference supporting Gillett’s re-appointment nomination on Tuesday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building, room 1D in Hartford.
How to submit comments
Visit the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee Testimony Page
Enter your name, and org/job title if relevant (please don’t list Save the Sound).
Select 2/20/25, 11:00 a.m. from the hearing list and select “Marissa Paslick Gillette of Simsbury as a Utility Commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Committee” from the bill number list.
Select “Supports”
Type in or upload your testimony, check “I’m not a robot,” and hit Submit.
It’s that easy!
What to Say
The most effective comments are personal to your own life and reasons to support Chairman Gillet’s re-appointment. Here is a sample piece of testimony if you need a place to start but be sure to customize it. You don’t have to be an expert!
Honorable members of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee,
I am a resident of ____ and I am writing to express my support for the re-appointment of PURA chair Marissa Gillett.
Without a strong regulator there is nothing to prevent the utilities from passing on exorbitant and imprudent costs to ratepayers. Throughout her tenure as PURA chair, Gillett has proven herself to be a competent and skillful leader who is holding utilities accountable for their expenditures while ensuring that their compensation reflects well established constitutional ratemaking principles.
Chair Gillett has expertly balanced the goals of continued safety and reliability of the electric grid, protecting consumers, and allowing utilities to earn a fair return on their investments. Her leadership has been critical in keeping rates as fair as possible while advancing Connecticut’s energy future.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Name,
Address
How to Testify Live
You can also testify during the hearing! The hearing will be held on Thursday, February 20 at 11 a.m. and you can testify in-person at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, or over Zoom.
Register here to get on the testimony schedule and prepare up to 3 minutes of spoken testimony. Please note the order of speakers is randomized, and you will need to check the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee’s hearing schedule to find your place in line.
Thank you for raising your voice for fair regulation of our state’s utilities!