CT HB05203

Changes decoupling authority from mandatory to discretionary for rate cases initiated on or after October 1, 2022, allowing the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to order gas and electric distribution companies to decouple distribution revenues from sales volumes rather than requiring it.

Grants the authority discretion to determine the decoupling mechanism and methodology, replacing the previous requirement that gas companies use use-per-customer basis decoupling.

Changes alternative dispute resolution from "encourage" to "permit," allowing the authority to approve settlements for rate cases with a three-year maximum term, and specifies subsequent settlements do not constitute general rate hearings.

Modifies the timeline for refunding excess funds held by electric distribution companies from one year to a deadline no later than the conclusion of the company's next rate proceeding.

Requires gas and electric distribution companies recovering advertising costs to file annual disclosure reports by February 1st, detailing dollar amounts, funding sources, advertisement purpose, media platforms, display dates, and advertising campaigns, with civil penalties for incomplete or inaccurate data.

Mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority chairperson to submit a report analyzing public policy components of electric distribution company bills to the energy committee by January 15, 2023.