House Republican Press Release

March 11, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo Strongly Supports Energy Bills

Naugatuck Legislator Votes for Legislation Designed to Help Consumers with Energy Related Issues

State Rep. Kevin M. DelGobbo, R-70, Naugatuck, strongly supported proposed legislation designed to help consumers with energy related issues.

At a time when worldwide energy prices are reaching all-time highs, the state Energy and Technology Committee, meeting in Hartford, approved a number of pieces of legislation on a variety of energy issues.

They include a repeat of a summer saver rewards program that last year helped consumers throughout the state to save on their electricity bills.

Bills approved by committee include:

589: Electric and Gas Discount Rate

Provides a lower rate for low income customers

5786: Low Income Heating Assistance

Adds new guidelines to improve this program, including requirement to have state accept applications earlier in the year so that assistance is available to residents.

5328: Utility Customer Service Complaints

Improves the state's oversight and ability to act on customer complaints about their utility bills 

5815: Mission of DPUC

Adds specific language to the law that requires the DPUC to set the lowest possible utility rates to customers 

5818: Summer Saver Rewards

Provides rebate incentives to residential customers who reduce their energy usage during the summer months. The rebates can be up to 20%.

Last year, the Summer Saver Rewards program asked Connecticut residents to reduce their electricity consumption by at least 10 percent, July 2007 through September 2007 compared to July through September of 2006.

• Reductions of 10 percent or more but less than 15 percent qualified for a 10 percent credit on the generation service charges
• Reductions of 15 percent or more but less than 20 percent qualified for a 15 percent credit on the generation service charges
• Reductions of 20 percent or greater qualified for a 20 percent credit on the generation service charges

Rep. DelGobbo serves the 70^th Assembly District of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.