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SB 304

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF COMBINED PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGES ON ELECTRIC BILLS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Dauphinais and 2 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill requiring utilities to separately itemize public benefits charges on electric bills instead of combining them, enhancing consumer transparency about program funding costs.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Energy and Technology
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Bill Summary · SB 304

Legislative bill overview

SB 304 prohibits Connecticut utilities from combining public benefits charges with other fees on electric bills. Currently, utilities collect various charges (such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-income assistance programs) that are bundled together. This bill would require these charges to be itemized separately and distinctly from standard electricity costs.

Why is this important

Electric bill transparency directly affects consumer understanding of their energy costs and what they're paying for. Public benefits charges fund important programs like renewable energy development and assistance for low-income households, but bundling obscures their true cost. Separating these charges allows consumers to see exactly how much they're funding public programs versus paying for actual electricity delivery.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to utilities: Separate line-item billing may require system changes and administrative costs that utilities could pass to consumers
  • Consumer confusion: While transparency is the goal, more itemized charges could make bills more complex rather than clearer, potentially confusing consumers unfamiliar with these programs
  • Program funding: Some argue that visible charges may encourage consumers to challenge or resist public benefits funding, potentially undermining renewable energy and low-income assistance programs that depend on broad-based cost-sharing

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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