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HB 5931

AN ACT REMOVING THE COMBINED PUBLIC BENEFIT CHARGE FROM UTILITY BILLS, AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF CLASS I RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, LIMITING RATES ALLOWED UNDER CERTAIN POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND REMOVING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Yaccarino

Connecticut bill eliminates utility public benefit charges, redefines renewables, caps power purchase rates, and makes energy regulator independent from environmental agency.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Energy and Technology
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Bill Summary · HB 5931

Legislative bill overview

HB 5931 makes four significant changes to Connecticut's energy regulatory framework: it eliminates the combined public benefit charge (a fee on utility bills funding energy programs), redefines which renewable sources qualify as "Class I," caps rates for certain power purchase agreements, and removes the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to make it independent.

Why is this important

These changes would directly affect utility bills, renewable energy development incentives, electricity costs, and how Connecticut regulates its energy sector. The removal of PURA from state environmental oversight represents a structural shift in regulatory authority, while eliminating the public benefit charge could defund popular energy efficiency and renewable programs currently financed through that mechanism.

Potential points of contention

  • Program funding: Removing the public benefit charge eliminates a dedicated revenue stream for energy efficiency, low-income assistance, and renewable energy programs—requiring alternative funding or program elimination
  • Renewable energy definition changes: Altering Class I renewable source definitions could affect which projects receive support, impacting Connecticut's clean energy goals and investment certainty
  • Rate caps on power purchase agreements: Limiting rates could reduce incentives for renewable energy developers to build in Connecticut, potentially conflicting with decarbonization targets
  • Regulatory independence: Separating PURA from environmental oversight may reduce coordination between energy regulation and climate/environmental policy objectives

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

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