Senator Anwar Encouraged As Juul Reaches Settlement; Connecticut To Receive $16.2 Million
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) was encouraged after Attorney General William Tong announced JUUL Labs reached a $438.5 million agreement with 34 states and territories following an investigation into the company’s advertising aimed at youth markets. In addition to the financial penalties – of which Connecticut will receive at least $16.2 million, largely intended for cessation, prevention and mitigation use of tobacco products – JUUL agreed to comply with strict limitations on marketing and sales, specifically limiting access to youth markets.
“For years, we’ve known JUUL used deceptive and predatory marketing to reach youth audiences, and that marketing has caused countless children to become addicted to nicotine,” said Sen. Anwar. “To hear the company has reached an agreement that will limit sales and marketing to youths, and that it will pay more than $16 million to Connecticut and more than $435 million nationally, is nothing short of relieving. But this shows that, all this time, JUUL – and, likely, other businesses operating in the tobacco market – knew what they were doing was wrong, and yet they continued to do it. We must take further action and continue to hold these companies accountable, hopefully improving public health by further reducing smoking rates.”
According to Attorney General Tong’s office, the multistate investigation into JUUL’s practices found that the company willfully engaged in advertising appealing to youth, despite youth markets being unable to access those products and their negative health impacts. JUUL used launch parties, advertising using young models and free samples in its advertising while it marketed designs meant to be easily concealed and with flavors popular among underage users.
Investigations further found JUUL marketing misled about product nicotine content and nicotine concentration and that the device was a smoking cessation device despite no FDA approval for such claims.
Under the settlement, which will see payments made over a period of six to ten years, JUUL will refrain from marketing aimed toward youth, depicting people under 35 in marketing, using cartoons in marketing, product placement, selling brand-name merchandise, using misleading representations about products, advertising in outlets with less than 85% adult readership and advertising on social media, among other changes to its practices.
Senator Haskell Announces Dot Planned Repaving In Redding, Bethel
Senator Haskell Announces Dot Planned Repaving In Redding, Bethel
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) announced the state Department of Transportation plans to resurface the pavement on Routes 53 and 58 in the towns of Redding and Bethel, with construction anticipated to start in spring 2023.
“When I go door-to-door, my constituents want to know when the damn roads are going to be fixed. They are understandably tired of hitting potholes, and they want to see infrastructure in their community that belongs in this century, not the last one,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m glad this project will be fully funded by the state, and I look forward to a smoother ride through Bethel and Redding.”
The purpose of the project is to preserve pavement surface and extend pavement structure serviceability, involving application of an asphalt rubber chip seal on Route 53 in Redding between Route 107 and the Bethel Town Line and on Route 58 between Route 107 in Redding and Route 302 in Bethel.
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
HARTFORD – Beginning tomorrow, September 1, more than 1.5 million Connecticut households will see their electric bills drop by $93-$120 a year.
“At a time when electric bills continue to rise, causing difficulties for many, this is a small but welcome step in the right direction,” said Sen. Needleman. “While it’s not enough – and I plan to find ways to provide more relief in the near future – it will still provide savings and relief for many people. The energy market remains volatile due to global events but I’m hopeful more can and will be done to help out the public.”
Two weeks ago, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) lowered allowable electric rates for Eversource and United Illuminating that are expected to save the average residential Eversource electric customer (who uses 700Kw of energy per month) $9.78 per month, and save the average United Illuminating customer $7.72 per month. Savings would be higher for people who use more energy.
The lower rates are effective from tomorrow, September 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Eversource serves 1.2 million Connecticut electric customers in 149 towns, and United Illuminating serves 341,000 Connecticut electric customers in 17 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven.
The electricity price cuts are the result of energy company savings that are tied to state-approved purchase agreements from Dominion Energy’s Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford. In 2017, the state legislature approved a new law that permitted Millstone to compete with other carbon-free sources of electricity, including hydro, wind and solar. Then, in 2019, Governor Lamont announced that PURA had approved a new contract between Dominion, Eversource and United Illuminating requiring the utilities to purchase approximately 50 percent of Millstone’s output (9 million MWH/year) for 10 years.
That cost savings is driven by the millions of dollars the electric companies saved by buying power from Millstone and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant at rates that are now below the market average in New England.
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
HARTFORD – Beginning tomorrow, September 1, more than 1.5 million Connecticut households will see their electric bills drop by $93-$120 a year.
“This is a step in the right direction, providing financial relief for customers, but we need to do more,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor). “People in our state are suffering. The cost of utilities has increased significantly as has the cost of delivery. It has reached a point where our seniors and businesses in the state are struggling. We can do more.”
Two weeks ago, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) lowered allowable electric rates for Eversource and United Illuminating that are expected to save the average residential Eversource electric customer (who uses 700Kw of energy per month) $9.78 per month, and save the average United Illuminating customer $7.72 per month. Savings would be higher for people who use more energy.
The lower rates are effective from tomorrow, September 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Eversource serves 1.2 million Connecticut electric customers in 149 towns, and United Illuminating serves 341,000 Connecticut electric customers in 17 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven.
The electricity price cuts are the result of energy company savings that are tied to state-approved purchase agreements from Dominion Energy’s Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford. In 2017, the state legislature approved a new law that permitted Millstone to compete with other carbon-free sources of electricity, including hydro, wind and solar. Then, in 2019, Governor Lamont announced that PURA had approved a new contract between Dominion, Eversource and United Illuminating requiring the utilities to purchase approximately 50 percent of Millstone’s output (9 million MWH/year) for 10 years.
That cost savings is driven by the millions of dollars the electric companies saved by buying power from Millstone and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant at rates that are now below the market average in New England.
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
HARTFORD – Beginning tomorrow, September 1, more than 1.5 million Connecticut households will see their electric bills drop by $93-$120 a year.
“When utility bills arrive each month, I hear from dozens of constituents who want to know what Connecticut is doing about the high cost of energy. The lower rates that become effective September 1 are a step in the right direction,” said Sen. Haskell. “Connecticut must continue working to build a grid that is affordable, reliable and green. I’m grateful to our Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for granting this relief for families in my community and across the state.”
Two weeks ago, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) lowered allowable electric rates for Eversource and United Illuminating that are expected to save the average residential Eversource electric customer (who uses 700Kw of energy per month) $9.78 per month, and save the average United Illuminating customer $7.72 per month. Savings would be higher for people who use more energy.
The lower rates are effective from tomorrow, September 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Eversource serves 1.2 million Connecticut electric customers in 149 towns, and United Illuminating serves 341,000 Connecticut electric customers in 17 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven.
The electricity price cuts are the result of energy company savings that are tied to state-approved purchase agreements from Dominion Energy’s Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford. In 2017, the state legislature approved a new law that permitted Millstone to compete with other carbon-free sources of electricity, including hydro, wind and solar. Then, in 2019, Governor Lamont announced that PURA had approved a new contract between Dominion, Eversource and United Illuminating requiring the utilities to purchase approximately 50 percent of Millstone’s output (9 million MWH/year) for 10 years.
That cost savings is driven by the millions of dollars the electric companies saved by buying power from Millstone and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant at rates that are now below the market average in New England.
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
Beginning Sept. 1, Connecticut Residents Will See Lower Electric Rates
Savings average $120 a year for Eversource customers, $93 for UI customers
HARTFORD – Beginning tomorrow, September 1, more than 1.5 million Connecticut households will see their electric bills drop by $93-$120 a year.
“So many families are feeling squeezed right now with rising costs. This is a good step in the right direction,” said State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford). “We must continue to look for ways to hold down energy prices – which is important job growth and family budgets.”
Two weeks ago, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) lowered allowable electric rates for Eversource and United Illuminating that are expected to save the average residential Eversource electric customer (who uses 700Kw of energy per month) $9.78 per month, and save the average United Illuminating customer $7.72 per month. Savings would be higher for people who use more energy.
The lower rates are effective from tomorrow, September 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Eversource serves 1.2 million Connecticut electric customers in 149 towns, and United Illuminating serves 341,000 Connecticut electric customers in 17 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven.
The electricity price cuts are the result of energy company savings that are tied to state-approved purchase agreements from Dominion Energy’s Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford. In 2017, the state legislature approved a new law that permitted Millstone to compete with other carbon-free sources of electricity, including hydro, wind and solar. Then, in 2019, Governor Lamont announced that PURA had approved a new contract between Dominion, Eversource and United Illuminating requiring the utilities to purchase approximately 50 percent of Millstone’s output (9 million MWH/year) for 10 years.
That cost savings is driven by the millions of dollars the electric companies saved by buying power from Millstone and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant at rates that are now below the market average in New England.