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State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) recently received a 2023 Legislative Achievement Award from the AARP in recognition of his efforts to ensure all residents of Connecticut have access to affordable utility services.
Sen. Needleman received this distinction due to his extensive work on Senate Bill 7 in 2023, legislation he introduced and co-led the passage of as Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. That bill improved regulations supporting residents of Connecticut, including giving the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority greater ability to decouple electric and gas companies’ distribution revenue from sales volume, prohibits utility companies from recovering aspects like lobbying, advertising and entertainment from ratepayers, and provides inroads for state residents to have a voice in contesting utility rate increase proposals.
Sen. Needleman was previously named the AARP’s Affordable Utilities Champion in 2021.
“I am honored to receive this distinction from the AARP and am grateful for their support of our efforts to rein in costs and make Connecticut’s utilities more affordable,” said Sen. Needleman. “I will take this to heart and continue working for the best outcome of all residents of our states, keeping Connecticut a great place to work, live and retire.”
“Senator Needleman’s leadership as Co-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee is instrumental in setting Connecticut on a path toward holding utility companies accountable and keeping utilities more affordable for ratepayers,” said Nora Duncan, State Director of AARP CT. |
