Senator Maroney Announces City of West Haven and West Short Fire District Inc to Receive FEMA Grant
State Senator James Maroney (D-West Haven) is announcing that the city of West Haven along with the West Short Fire District Inc, located in West Haven, was approved to receive money from AFG, or “Assistance To Firefighters Grant,” from the federal government. $43,100 AFG was allocated to the West Shore Fire District Inc to help increase their operations and safety procedures and three separate grants of $86,000, $571,428, and $95,235 AFG was supplied to the City of West Haven. The money will help firefighters receive vital equipment and upgrades to help them perform their duties. Supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, this grant is one of many distributed nationwide to support first responders.
“I am appreciative that our local firefighters will benefit from this grant and it will allow them to continue to do their job to keep our community safe,” said Sen. Maroney. “It is very reassuring knowing that the people who protect us are also being protected and are being allocated funds that will help them do their job.”
Senator Needleman Announces East Haddam Fire Department To Receive FEMA Grant For Vehicle Acquisition
Senator Needleman Announces East Haddam Fire Department To Receive FEMA Grant For Vehicle Acquisition
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today announced that the Town of East Haddam was approved this month to receive a $904,761 vehicle acquisition grant from the federal government. With this grant, the town Fire Department will be able to purchase a new aerial ladder truck with a quint pumper. Supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, this grant is one of many distributed nationwide to support local communities.
“I’m extremely grateful to the federal leaders who authorized this grant, which will keep the people of East Haddam safe,” said Sen. Needleman. “Our first responders risk their lives to keep us safe, and I’m glad they will have better tools to help protect the public to do so. I’m grateful our community is receiving this support.”
Senator Needleman Announces Portland Fire Department To Receive FEMA Grant For Important Equipment
Senator Needleman Announces Portland Fire Department To Receive FEMA Grant For Important Equipment
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today announced that the Portland Fire Department was approved this week to receive a $208,720 AFG, or “Assistance To Firefighters Grant,” from the federal government. Portland firefighters will now be able to use upgraded breathing apparatuses to keep them safe while fighting fires. Supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, this grant is one of many distributed nationwide to support first responders.
“I’m extremely grateful to the federal leaders who authorized this grant and the firefighters and first responders who continue to keep our communities safe every day,” said Sen. Needleman. “This grant will fund replacements and upgrades for the department to be better protected against smoke inhalation and other threats members regularly experience. I’m thankful that our community will receive this support.”
Senator Anwar Provides Update from Department of Public Health Regarding East Windsor COVID-19 Outbreak at Farm
Senator Anwar Provides Update from Department of Public Health Regarding East Windsor COVID-19 Outbreak at Farm
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) provided new details from the state Department of Public Health regarding a recent COVID-19 outbreak among workers at a farm in East Windsor. Sen. Anwar took action immediately after learning employees working at a local farm were found to have the virus, as he wanted to ensure this outbreak did not pose a significant threat to public health.
The Department of Public Health released additional details about the farm outbreak, which occurred at Mulnite Farms:
- 34 people who reside at the farm have tested positive.
- No workers required hospitalization and all infected individuals have recovered.
- Additional people working there have tested negative for COVID-19 and have been instructed in self-quarantine and infection control.
- DPH is continuing to work with state and local authorities regarding the outbreak.
“I’ve seen the impacts of COVID-19 firsthand,” said Sen. Anwar, “and as soon as I heard there was an outbreak in our community, I jumped to learn more. While there is cause for concern when hearing about an event like this, it is reassuring that all infected individuals have recovered and the virus’s spread appears to have slowed. If anything, this is a reminder of the extreme infectiousness of this dangerous disease. We must continue to take steps to fight COVID-19 such as social distancing, mask use and practicing good hygiene. I would also like to thank East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza for his coordination and collaboration with the Departments of Public Health, Agriculture and Labor responding to this outbreak.”
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
HARTFORD – Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Energy & Technology Committee Senate Chairman Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today proposed that utility companies like Eversource Energy that have a captive consumer base and guaranteed rates of return should have a “ratepayer advocate” on their corporate Board of Directors in order to ensure that utility customers are considered and treated as well as the corporate shareholders and corporate executives that Boards of Directors usually focus on.
The Democratic leaders made their proposal after observing today’s exchange between Eversource Energy CEO Jim Judge and Sen. Needleman, when Sen. Needleman asked Mr. Judge if Eversource has a consumer advocate on its Board of Directors, and Mr. Judge replied that such roles are not traditional on corporate boards of governance. The exchange came during today’s online Energy & Technology Committee hearing to discuss Eversource’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which in early August left nearly three-quarters of a million Connecticut residents without power for up to a week.
Sens. Looney, Duff and Needleman are asking the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate whether for-profit utilities in Connecticut like Eversource can be legislatively required to have such ratepayer advocates on their Board of Directors, or if such an position would have to be voluntarily appointed by a corporate board.
“Eversource is not just any corporation, like Walmart or Coca Cola – it’s a public utility that is very closely regulated and which acts as an electricity monopoly in Connecticut. As such, I believe it’s in Eversource’s best corporate interests to have someone on its Board of Directors who is focused on issues affecting people on the ground,” Sen. Needleman said. “It can’t be all about profits. Yes there is a corporate responsibility to shareholders and executive compensation, but there’s a public component underlying everything that they do that is crying out for attention. The U.S. Business Roundtable’s CEOs recently updated their statement of corporate purpose to include benefits for customers, suppliers, and the communities that they serve – not just to employees and shareholders. Times are changing, corporate mentalities are changing, and Eversource has the opportunity to be a leader in this regard and not a follower.”
“Eversource Energy is not a traditional corporation in that it does not operate in a free market with unknown profits, but in a highly regulated utility market with little to no outside competition, a guaranteed annual rate of return, and a captive consumer base of 1.5 million electricity and natural gas customers in Connecticut. In effect, Eversource operates as a power monopoly in Connecticut,” Sen. Looney said. “Like most corporate boards, the Eversource Board of Directors focuses on corporate executive salaries and bonuses and ensuring handsome annual returns for stockholders. But these bonuses and dividends are derived from the ratepayers, who have no voice in how this money is spent or what part of it is even spent on their needs. That has to change, and if Eversource cannot be legislatively mandated to make that change, it should willingly do so in recognition of its unique status.”
“Eversource is a public corporation with a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders, but it is also a public utility that has a responsibility to its ratepayers,” Sen. Duff said. “There should be a voice on any Board of Directors for ratepayers, and not just for shareholders and the corporate bottom line. Having a ratepayer advocate on Eversource’s Board of Directors would be a step – one step – in the right direction.”
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
HARTFORD – Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Energy & Technology Committee Senate Chairman Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today proposed that utility companies like Eversource Energy that have a captive consumer base and guaranteed rates of return should have a “ratepayer advocate” on their corporate Board of Directors in order to ensure that utility customers are considered and treated as well as the corporate shareholders and corporate executives that Boards of Directors usually focus on.
The Democratic leaders made their proposal after observing today’s exchange between Eversource Energy CEO Jim Judge and Sen. Needleman, when Sen. Needleman asked Mr. Judge if Eversource has a consumer advocate on its Board of Directors, and Mr. Judge replied that such roles are not traditional on corporate boards of governance. The exchange came during today’s online Energy & Technology Committee hearing to discuss Eversource’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which in early August left nearly three-quarters of a million Connecticut residents without power for up to a week.
Sens. Looney, Duff and Needleman are asking the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate whether for-profit utilities in Connecticut like Eversource can be legislatively required to have such ratepayer advocates on their Board of Directors, or if such an position would have to be voluntarily appointed by a corporate board.
“Eversource is not just any corporation, like Walmart or Coca Cola – it’s a public utility that is very closely regulated and which acts as an electricity monopoly in Connecticut. As such, I believe it’s in Eversource’s best corporate interests to have someone on its Board of Directors who is focused on issues affecting people on the ground,” Sen. Needleman said. “It can’t be all about profits. Yes there is a corporate responsibility to shareholders and executive compensation, but there’s a public component underlying everything that they do that is crying out for attention. The U.S. Business Roundtable’s CEOs recently updated their statement of corporate purpose to include benefits for customers, suppliers, and the communities that they serve – not just to employees and shareholders. Times are changing, corporate mentalities are changing, and Eversource has the opportunity to be a leader in this regard and not a follower.”
“Eversource Energy is not a traditional corporation in that it does not operate in a free market with unknown profits, but in a highly regulated utility market with little to no outside competition, a guaranteed annual rate of return, and a captive consumer base of 1.5 million electricity and natural gas customers in Connecticut. In effect, Eversource operates as a power monopoly in Connecticut,” Sen. Looney said. “Like most corporate boards, the Eversource Board of Directors focuses on corporate executive salaries and bonuses and ensuring handsome annual returns for stockholders. But these bonuses and dividends are derived from the ratepayers, who have no voice in how this money is spent or what part of it is even spent on their needs. That has to change, and if Eversource cannot be legislatively mandated to make that change, it should willingly do so in recognition of its unique status.”
“Eversource is a public corporation with a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders, but it is also a public utility that has a responsibility to its ratepayers,” Sen. Duff said. “There should be a voice on any Board of Directors for ratepayers, and not just for shareholders and the corporate bottom line. Having a ratepayer advocate on Eversource’s Board of Directors would be a step – one step – in the right direction.”
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
Senators Needleman, Looney & Duff: Ratepayer Advocates Should Be On Utility Company Boards Of Directors
HARTFORD – Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Energy & Technology Committee Senate Chairman Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today proposed that utility companies like Eversource Energy that have a captive consumer base and guaranteed rates of return should have a “ratepayer advocate” on their corporate Board of Directors in order to ensure that utility customers are considered and treated as well as the corporate shareholders and corporate executives that Boards of Directors usually focus on.
The Democratic leaders made their proposal after observing today’s exchange between Eversource Energy CEO Jim Judge and Sen. Needleman, when Sen. Needleman asked Mr. Judge if Eversource has a consumer advocate on its Board of Directors, and Mr. Judge replied that such roles are not traditional on corporate boards of governance. The exchange came during today’s online Energy & Technology Committee hearing to discuss Eversource’s preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which in early August left nearly three-quarters of a million Connecticut residents without power for up to a week.
Sens. Looney, Duff and Needleman are asking the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate whether for-profit utilities in Connecticut like Eversource can be legislatively required to have such ratepayer advocates on their Board of Directors, or if such an position would have to be voluntarily appointed by a corporate board.
“Eversource is not just any corporation, like Walmart or Coca Cola – it’s a public utility that is very closely regulated and which acts as an electricity monopoly in Connecticut. As such, I believe it’s in Eversource’s best corporate interests to have someone on its Board of Directors who is focused on issues affecting people on the ground,” Sen. Needleman said. “It can’t be all about profits. Yes there is a corporate responsibility to shareholders and executive compensation, but there’s a public component underlying everything that they do that is crying out for attention. The U.S. Business Roundtable’s CEOs recently updated their statement of corporate purpose to include benefits for customers, suppliers, and the communities that they serve – not just to employees and shareholders. Times are changing, corporate mentalities are changing, and Eversource has the opportunity to be a leader in this regard and not a follower.”
“Eversource Energy is not a traditional corporation in that it does not operate in a free market with unknown profits, but in a highly regulated utility market with little to no outside competition, a guaranteed annual rate of return, and a captive consumer base of 1.5 million electricity and natural gas customers in Connecticut. In effect, Eversource operates as a power monopoly in Connecticut,” Sen. Looney said. “Like most corporate boards, the Eversource Board of Directors focuses on corporate executive salaries and bonuses and ensuring handsome annual returns for stockholders. But these bonuses and dividends are derived from the ratepayers, who have no voice in how this money is spent or what part of it is even spent on their needs. That has to change, and if Eversource cannot be legislatively mandated to make that change, it should willingly do so in recognition of its unique status.”
“Eversource is a public corporation with a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders, but it is also a public utility that has a responsibility to its ratepayers,” Sen. Duff said. “There should be a voice on any Board of Directors for ratepayers, and not just for shareholders and the corporate bottom line. Having a ratepayer advocate on Eversource’s Board of Directors would be a step – one step – in the right direction.”
Senator Needleman Applauds Extension of Connecticut River Ferry Service
Senator Needleman Applauds Extension of Connecticut River Ferry Service
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) applauded the Department of Transportation’s announcement that service on the state’s Connecticut River ferries will be extended by seven weeks, continuing to October 25. While the schedule was initially slated to end on Labor Day, September 7, Connecticut’s success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic over the summer led state leaders to extend service between Chester and Hadlyme and between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.
“These ferries provide a great service to members of our community, and I’m encouraged that the state’s success in keeping COVID-19 in check has led to their services continuing into late October,” said Sen. Needleman. “It’s a very promising sign that will additionally allow for many more to continue using these charming ferry services for work and recreation into the autumn. I do want to remind ferry riders to continue following COVID guidelines including social distancing and wearing masks to ensure this schedule remains in place.”
The Department of Transportation will continue to monitor conditions and potential budget issues. It will made changes or modifications to services as deemed necessary. The Chester-Hadlyme ferry operates between 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry runs from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and is closed on Mondays.
Senator Lesser Urges Rejection of Proposed Eversource Rate Increase
Senator Lesser Urges Rejection of Proposed Eversource Rate Increase
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) testified against and sent a letter to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) strongly urging them to reject the proposed Eversource rate increase. Senator Lesser says the increases hit Connecticut at the worst possible time, during a summer heat wave and during a global pandemic.
“We didn’t need a pandemic to know that the price of electricity is a problem in Connecticut,” said Sen. Lesser.
“They are bludgeoning families, seniors and businesses at a time when 40% of renters in Connecticut are already facing eviction, when small businesses are shuttering, and unemployment is near record highs,” said Sen. Lesser.
In his testimony, Sen. Lesser argued that the pandemic should void a contract Eversource recently entered into that locks Connecticut customers into higher than market rates for ten years.
See below for full text of letter:
Dear Chairman Gillett and Members of PURA,
I am urging you to reject the proposed Eversource rate increase.
The increases hit Connecticut at the worst possible time, during a summer heat wave, in a global pandemic that had directly caused the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. They are bludgeoning families, seniors and businesses at a time when 40% of renters in Connecticut are already facing eviction, when small businesses are shuttering, and unemployment is near record highs.
1. The Rate Increases are directly due to the Millstone Contract
90% of the Eversource distribution increase is due to the contract between Eversource and Dominion Energy entered into pursuant to PA 17-3, according to an analysis by DEEP. In 2017, Connecticut residents already paid some of the highest electric rates in the country, but that law was intended to drive rates even higher, because some lawmakers decided to force the creation a contract to subsidize the continued operation of the Millstone Nuclear Facility, owned by Dominion. I recognize why the continued operation of Millstone, Connecticut’s largest generation facility, could be in the best interest of ratepayers. But the contract entered into pursuant to PA 17-3 forces an above-market-rate subsidy which will raise electric rates until 2030. This is the most outrageous example of corporate welfare I have seen in my 12 years in the legislature and the existing contract is clearly not in the interest of Connecticut’s ratepayers.
2. Force Majeure can and should be invoked to void the Contract
If the increases are rejected, Eversource can and should claim Force Majeure to exit the contract pursuant to Section 10 of the Dominion agreement.
The pandemic – much more than the related recession – is responsible for dramatically changing the face of energy consumption in Connecticut. Commuting patterns have changed, a major heat wave (itself an Act of God) has hit, and we have learned, in responding to the pandemic, how critical regional partnerships are to our economic security. Even before the pandemic, regional cooperation was central to energy policy planning, through RGGI, ISO and other mechanisms.
3. If the Millstone Contract is voided, Millstone can still operate
The NRC, FERC and ISO will prevent Millstone from shutting down in the near term if Dominion loses its subsidy and decides to shutter its operations. That would allow regional stakeholders – including ISO – to examine the option of a regional subsidy that would, for example, allow Eversource’s customers in Massachusetts to support the regional benefit provided by Millstone.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lesser
Senator Lesser Announces Rocky Hill Ferry Service Extension
Senator Lesser Announces Rocky Hill Ferry Service Extension
State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) is excited to announce that the nation’s oldest continuously operating Rocky Hill – Glastonbury ferry is extending their service. The ferry service has been extended an additional seven weeks, now closing on October 25, because of the success rate in which Connecticut has been able to slow the spread of the virus.
“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to extend the Ferry Season,” said Sen. Lesser. “Saving and protecting the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry has been a priority for me since taking office. I’ve been privileged to work with Rep. Wood to ensure the continued operations of the longest running ferry in America.”
Because of COVID-related precautions the service was supposed to end on Labor Day this year but with the state’s measures against the virus, the service will be able to continue as long as social distancing and masks are enforced. The Connecticut Department of Transportation will continue to monitor conditions and potential budget issues and make additional changes to service as necessary.