Office of Consumer Counsel

{Office of Consumer Counsel}

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.

September 17, 2007 - OCC releases its latest Scorecard! Ratepayers to save over $750 million due to OCC’s advocacy on behalf of Connecticut’s utility ratepayers. Click here to read our updated Scorecard of cases decided by the CT DPUC impacting rates effective January 1, 2006 and thereafter.

July 26, 2007 -- U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut overturns Department of Public Utility Control decision allowing AT&T Connecticut to offer video services in Connecticut without being subject to cable operator statutes or obligations. Supporting the arguments made by the OCC before the DPUC, the Court held that AT&T's Internet-protocol technology provisioning of video remains identical under law with the "cable service" being offered over a "cable system" by a "cable operator," as defined in the federal Cable Act. In conclusion, the Court held that the DPUC’s decision is therefore preempted by federal law. The DPUC promptly indicated that it would abide by the Court’s decision and require AT&T to obtain a cable franchise in accordance with the ruling, fulfilling the goals articulated by the OCC throughout the two years this matter has dragged on before the DPUC, the state legislature, and a state court, in addition to the federal court which first hear this case one year ago this month. AT&T is already offering its video service to customers in nearly two dozen towns in Connecticut and the OCC anticipates that it will have to promptly file for a franchise agreement from the DPUC, whether or not it plans to appeal or otherwise pursue further actions to avoid regulation. As the OCC has repeatedly stated, we encourage all competition possible in cable service in order to apply market pressure on the providers to bring prices down, promote ever-improving service quality, and spur technology innovations. The OCC hopes that AT&T will take the strong message from a federal judge and devote the money and energy it has diverted into litigation and lobbying into the more positive direction of providing video services to consumers and competing in this market. The rulings can be read by clicking on each link - Ruling on Motions to Dismiss (pdf 111kb), Ruling on Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment (pdf 104kb).

July 10, 2007 -- ECMB Names Richard Steeves as Chairperson. Mr. Steeves, OCC's Principal Utilities Finance Specialist and resident of Guilford, Connecticut, will serve as the ECMB's Chairperson for the second time. (ECMB Media Advisory)

February 7, 2007 -- Consumer Counsel Mary J. Healey wins election to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) Member Representatives Committee as a Small End-Use Electricity Customer representative for a term extending through December 31, 2008. NERC’s mission is to improve the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America. To achieve that, NERC develops and enforces reliability standards; monitors the bulk power system; assesses future adequacy; audits owners, operators, and users for preparedness; and educates and trains industry personnel. NERC is a self-regulatory organization that relies on the diverse and collective expertise of industry participants. As the Electric Reliability Organization, NERC is subject to audit by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and governmental authorities in Canada.

October 23, 2006 -- Consumer Counsel Mary J. Healey joins Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez and officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage residents to Change a Light, Change the World. Energy-efficient light bulbs were given out today to residents of Hartford’s South Arsenal neighborhood Apartments to help promote energy efficiency and conservation – with a goal of encouraging Connecticut’s residents to become more energy efficient, one step at a time, by starting with changing inefficient light bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs. To read the Consumer Counsel’s Comments, click here (pdf 37.5kb).