Press Releases
03/31/2020
PURA Broadens Scope of Energy Affordability Investigation to Focus on Commercial and Industrial Customers
Draft RFP for Public Form Issued
Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) issued today a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for public forums on commercial and industrial energy affordability. The purpose of the RFP is to engage those commercial and industrial customers most impacted by high energy costs and to establish long-term solutions to improve energy affordability for all of Connecticut’s businesses.
In its ongoing energy affordability proceeding, Docket Number 17-12-03RE01, PURA is working with key stakeholders to identify barriers and pinpoint potential solutions around energy affordability for all customer classes in Connecticut. Highlighted in today’s announcement, PURA now will begin a concentrated effort working with key stakeholder groups to investigate energy affordability and parity for the state’s commercial and industrial customers.
“During my tenure, PURA will be dedicated to increasing the affordability of energy in our state. Understanding the business community’s experience and perspective on these issues is vital to that effort,” said PURA chairman Marissa P. Gillett. “PURA’s October 2019 decision signaled our intention to engage the business community in this investigation. We recognize that these conversations are made more urgent by current events. We’ll look to move quickly from the investigation phase to the action phase, once the listening sessions are complete.”
With a final deadline of June 1, stakeholders and interested parties are invited to propose Public Forum listening sessions that will allow engagement and collaboration with key audiences across the state. PURA is eager to learn from all parties, such as business groups, chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations, and is accepting proposals that would schedule listening sessions outside of normal business hours and at locations other than PURA’s New Britain offices.
PURA is ever mindful of the current public health emergency and is working to time the upcoming Public Forum listening sessions appropriately. PURA recognizes the economic environment businesses are facing, as well as the ongoing work of government agencies during these unprecedented times.
Ultimately, PURA intends the focus of this investigation to yield long-term solutions around energy affordability, and views this RFP as a crucial first step in achieving that goal in the commercial and industrial space.
Contact
Taren M. O’Connor
Director of Legislation, Regulations and Communications