House Republican Press Release

March 14, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Miller: Democrats Are Failing on Energy Issues

Legislative Session Is Half-Over With No Action

HARTFORD- State Representative Larry Miller (R-122) today expressed disappointment at the failure of the legislature’s majority Democrats to take any action on energy issues thus far during the legislative session.  “The session is half over, and the deadline for bills to come out of the Energy Committee was yesterday,” said Miller. “What do we have to show for it?  A bill that promotes having school kids sell fluorescent light bulbs, and handful of other non-specific bills that don’t do anything.”

Beginning January 1, 2007, United Illuminating began instituting a rate increase of 42.7% for commercial customers, and 66.0% for industrial customers.  A 24.7% rate increase for residential customers began at the same time.  Further increases throughout the year will nearly double that increase over the course of 2007.

“Due to infighting between Senate Democrats and House Democrats, many of whom are posturing because they want to be Governor, we have been in a stalemate,” said Miller.  “The Democratic leadership has been completely asleep with regards to offering legislation that addresses our state’s energy crisis.”

Miller noted that the more time it takes for the legislature to act the more money is drained out of ratepayers’ and businesses’ pockets. “These massive increases in the cost of electricity are having terrible consequences for residents, businesses, and the state’s economy,” said Miller.  “Last year the Speaker and Senate President couldn’t agree on a bill, so nothing was done.  This year is shaping up to be a repeat, and it’s a disgrace.”

Miller said the legislature should look at solutions that include de-centralizing power plants, fast-tracking new generation methods, and expanding distributive generation, and resource recovery efforts to see real savings from the ground up. 

“We need substantial changes in how we structure energy consumption,” he said.  “You don’t get that by having kids sell special light bulbs in school.  Time is running out for taking meaningful action.”