Statutory
authority – CGS Sec. 16-2a
Central
Office
– Ten Franklin Square,
New Britain, CT 06051
Capital
expenditures - $0
The Office of Consumer
Counsel (OCC) is the State of Connecticut’s advocate for all utility
ratepayers. OCC seeks to ensure just
and reasonable rates and reliable utility service for customers of
Connecticut’s electric, gas, telephone, and water utilities and reasonable
protections for cable television customers.
OCC’s advocacy includes the promotion of beneficial policies for
ratepayers, such as the conservation of energy resources. We participate actively in proceedings
before the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and state and
federal courts. We also seek to advance
the goals and protect the needs of ratepayers at the U.S. Congress and the
State Legislature.
OCC continues its effective
representation of the ratepayer in traditional litigation at the DPUC by
development of policy and legal positions by the Consumer Counsel in
consultation with staff and by thorough preparation of its cases including
comprehensive analysis of the evidence filed by other parties or intervenors,
cross-examination of utility witnesses, presentation of its own evidence
through senior staff or outside experts and constant honing of its oral and
written skills. This year at the DPUC,
OCC had many successful cases particularly in the docket wherein the renewable
energy alternative options were developed for consumers. Also of note, OCC has taken two cases (an
electric one and a gas one) to the Connecticut appellate courts, through which
OCC will seek clarification on several issues important to utility ratepayers
and utility practitioners. OCC also was
involved in several settlements which brought benefits to ratepayers as well as
the utility and eliminated the need for protracted and costly litigation with
an uncertain outcome.
On the telephone front, the OCC scored a victory at the Connecticut
Supreme Court in a case directly protecting consumers from the questionable
practices of a pay phone provider; argued at the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) this year in a case to promote competition for all forms of
telecommunications (telephone, cable TV, and Internet service); and issued
comments on our website, on the dismal status of telecommunications competition
in this state, advocating the steps needed to bring competition to this market.
Cable TV is narrowly regulated by the DPUC under
state law (e.g., rates are regulated by the FCC under federal law) that
Adelphia customers are not negatively impacted by the legal and financial
troubles affecting the company due to the fraud of its corporate officers. OCC also participated in several franchise
renewal proceedings affecting other cable providers.
OCC serves on various boards
that affect ratepayer issues such as the Consumer Education Advisory
Council. OCC is chair of this Board,
which advises the DPUC on implementation of the legislative mandate to educate
electric consumers about changes in the electric industry in Connecticut. This year and last, the Board worked closely
with DPUC to enhance its electric outreach website, Wattsnewct.com, for easier
navigation and “one stop shopping” for electric restructuring information. OCC also is an active member of the Energy
Conservation Management Board, an advisory board assisting the utility
administrators of the ratepayer funded Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Another Board membership of note is our role
on the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB). CEAB is charged with developing the state’s annual energy plan,
developing preferential criteria for energy projects and has the power to
initiate requests for proposals for energy projects to address the state’s
needs, short or long-term, on a more sustainable, strategic basis. CEAB works closely with ISO-NE and the
Connecticut Siting Council, the agencies that must approve aspects of these
types of projects.
Over the course of this
year, OCC met its responsibilities with success despite the budget impacts with
the able assistance of an experienced staff and outside experts as
necessary. We look for continued good
results for utility consumers in the years ahead.
Information Reported as Required by State
Statute
The OCC is an equal opportunity employer committed to
the letter and the spirit of affirmative action.