Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, released the following statement in response to the Connecticut Superior Court’s ruling on an appeal filed by Aquarion Water Co. against the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in response to a rate cut the authority approved last year.

Aquarion initially sought a significant increase in revenue that PURA then reduced in a March 2023 decision, leading to the appeal against that decision; Aquarion’s increase would have increased residential water bills by about 9% per year, while PURA’s decision reduced residential water bills by as much as 11% per year.

“Today’s ruling is a major victory for PURA and for those who want thorough vetting of our state’s utilities, especially in rate requests,” said Sen. Needleman. “The regulatory authority’s methodology and decision-making in response to Aquarion’s filing was upheld, with PURA only having to further explain parts of a few choices it made.”

“I’m especially proud of this decision because it reflects the intention of work done by the legislature in the last several years to hold utilities accountable. This will lead to better results for ratepayers.”

“Today’s action, following last month’s positive outcome for PURA in the GenConn, Inc. case that saved ratepayers millions, is further affirmation that PURA, under the leadership of Chair Marissa Gillett, is succeeding with its rigorous and thorough approach to holding Connecticut’s utilities accountable. This is what happens when regulators commit to serious and thorough examination of their duties in the name of balance and fairness to all parties.”