(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement in response to the votes today in the Connecticut State Senate approving the nominations of David Arconti, Jr. and Marissa Gillett to serve as commissioners of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA):
“I am glad that the Senate agreed that these nominees have the impartial, fair, and skilled qualifications needed to oversee the regulating of Connecticut’s public utility sector. I appreciate the diligence of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee co-chairs, Senator Bob Duff and State Representative Julio Concepcion, in assuring that this nomination process was thorough and professional. Now that these nominees have received final legislative approval, they can focus on their responsibility of carefully and meticulously reviewing every filing from each of our public utilities to ensure that these companies are acting in the best interests of Connecticut’s consumers.
“Connecticut’s ratepayers need relief from the high costs of electricity, and that relief needs to come in the form of a meaningful solution that drives down energy rates over the long term. Over the past year, I have met with representatives of different energy sources – such as wind, natural gas, nuclear, solar, and hydropower – the utilities, experts in energy markets, and officials from the federal government and our neighboring states to find meaningful solutions to our high energy prices. It is clear that this is an issue of supply and demand, requiring cooperation with our regional and national partners. I remain committed to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on the policy solutions needed to have a lasting impact on delivering cheaper energy for the people of Connecticut.”
The House of Representatives approved both nominations last week. Today’s votes by the Senate were the final step in the legislative nomination review process.