Democrats Force Unpoplar Energy Policy through Legislature

Many Connecticut residents were fast asleep today as Democrats rammed a controversial energy overhaul through the House of Representatives just before sunrise, making sure their constituents were unable to hear them defend their albatross that threatens to significantly increase electricity rates already considered the second most-expensive in the United States. Despite grave concerns from representatives of the Department of Public Utility Control, determined Democrats in the state senate moved the bill forward Tuesday night — setting the stage for a long debate in the House. The proposal crafted by Sen. John Fonfara and Rep. Vickie Nardello was drawn up without input from people who didn’t share the goal of throwing a heavy blanket of government regulation over the deregulated electricity market. What’s more, the far-reaching legislation was never subject of a public hearing. The bill, now on Rell’s desk for consideration, includes a controversial plan to enact solar energy programs some analysts say would add at least $72 million in costs for ratepayers. What’s more, the bill hampers the ability of ratepayers to choose alternative electricity suppliers — something that’s happened with increasing frequency over the last couple of years. Democrat leaders in the House took up the bill well past midnight, and Rep. Sean Williams, ranking Republican member of the Energy Committee, peppered bill proponent Nardello with questions as her bleary-eyed party mates listened with the enthusiasm of people who just wrapped up an hours-long debate on an education bill. So, it’s no wonder that this week Hartford Courant editorial writers stated it would be wrong for the legislature to pass the bill without sufficient time to analyze its effects.