CT HB07206

Consumer Counsel gains automatic party status in Connecticut Siting Council proceedings that may significantly impact electric rates, with hiring costs for related staff funded through the systems benefits charge collected from electric customers

Electric distribution companies cannot recover through rates any costs associated with promoting applications before the Siting Council, including consulting, community engagement, market research, website development, or preparing for council proceedings and appeals

Applicants for transmission line repairs, upgrades, or replacements must now include detailed studies of alternative solutions including at least one type of grid-enhancing technology, plus estimates of impact on regional and local network service rates

Applicants hiring communicator lobbyists to influence the public regarding Siting Council applications must immediately notify the council, Attorney General, relevant legislators, and affected municipal officials

The Siting Council must employ at least one staff member dedicated to facilitating public engagement and providing plain language summaries of proceedings, and applications must include two years of quarterly data on earned versus authorized return on equity for related projects