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HB 5048

AN ACT REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGE FROM CONSUMER ELECTRIC BILLS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Craig Fishbein and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill to eliminate the Public Benefits Charge from electric bills, removing funding for low-income assistance and renewable energy programs without specifying replacement revenue sources.

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Bill Summary · HB 5048

Legislative bill overview

HB 5048 would eliminate the Public Benefits Charge (PBC) from consumer electric bills in Connecticut. The PBC is a surcharge currently added to electricity costs that funds energy efficiency programs, renewable energy development, and low-income assistance initiatives. This bill represents a significant change to how Connecticut finances these public energy programs.

Why is this important

The PBC currently generates substantial revenue for Connecticut's energy policy goals, including support for low-income households' energy costs and investments in clean energy infrastructure. Removing it would require either finding alternative funding sources for these programs or allowing them to be reduced or eliminated, which could affect both consumer costs and the state's renewable energy transition timeline.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding gap: Eliminating the PBC without replacement funding would defund established programs for low-income energy assistance, energy efficiency upgrades, and renewable energy projects—raising questions about whether these responsibilities would transfer to general revenue or simply disappear
  • Cost shifting: While removing the surcharge might lower bills initially, opponents argue this could shift costs to taxpayers broadly or reduce access to energy assistance for vulnerable populations
  • Climate and energy policy impact: Connecticut has renewable energy goals; critics contend that defunding clean energy programs through PBC elimination could hinder progress toward state climate commitments and make energy transition more expensive long-term

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

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