CT SB00182

Authorizes the Department of Public Utility Control to retain expert consultants for federal regulatory proceedings, with costs apportioned among affected utility companies based on revenues, capped at $250,000 per proceeding annually unless good cause is shown.

Requires security deposit interest rates for utility customers to be determined by the Banking Commissioner using the deposit index, with a minimum rate of 1.5 percent.

Extends the timeline for preliminary findings on employee retaliation complaints from 30 to 90 business days and establishes a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if discharge, suspension, or demotion follows closely after an employee reports substantial misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.

Adds "deny" and "refuse to reinstate" to prohibitions on utility service termination during winter months for residential customers in hardship cases, and expands protections to prevent service termination that would create life-threatening situations regardless of season.

Modifies customer notice requirements for proposed rate amendments to include hearing dates, times, and locations, and clarifies the department must issue final rate decisions within 150 days, extendable by 30 days with notice to parties.

Increases renewable energy requirement for electric distribution companies and suppliers from 3 percent to 4 percent of total output from Class III sources beginning January 1, 2010, effective July 1, 2010.