{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.
February 10, 2012 - Office of Consumer Counsel Releases Updated Annual Report
February 9, 2012 - Attorney General, Consumer Counsel Credit State Regulators for Quick Response on NU/NStar Motion
February 8, 2012 - "Energy Efficiency in Connecticut 2012: Where We Are and What Lies Ahead," a presentation by OCC's Principal Utilities Finance Specialist and First Vice Chair of the Energy Efficiency Board, Richard Steeves.
February 7, 2012 - Attorney General and Consumer Counsel Urge Regulators to Clarify Standard of Review for Proposed NU/NStar Merger
February 3, 2012 - About the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund
January 27, 2012 - OCC and the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) to Conduct Briefings Across the State Entitled "Guidelines for the Development of a Strategic Plan for Accessibility to and Adoption of Broadband Services in Connecticut"
January 19, 2012 - Regulators Should Fine CL&P For Failed Repairs to Underground Distribution System in Waterbury
January 18, 2012 - Consumer Counsel Applauds PURA's Decision to Review Proposed Merger
January 18, 2012 - OCC Seeks Clarification from Appellate Court Regarding When an Agency Decision Under Reconsideration is Final for Purposes of Appeal Under the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, as Amended by Public Act 06-32. OCC's brief, linked here, focuses on the Superior Court's denial of a motion to dismiss an appeal of a Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) decision that was under reconsideration at the time the appeal was taken.
January 13, 2012 - OCC Argues for NU/NSTAR Merger Review at PURA. OCC is hopeful that a merger review will occur so that the interests of Connecticut's citizens and utility customers will be considered.
January 13, 2012 - Consumer Counsel Backs PURA, Towns
January 11, 2012 - Consumer Counsel Issues Storm Restoration Survey
January 11, 2012 - Consumer Counsel Joins Municipalities' Call For Immediate Steps to Prepare For Next Storm
January 4, 2012 - State Utility Regulators Expected To Throw Out Decision, Will Call For Full Review of NU-NSTAR Merger
December 21, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Meets With Municipalities Regarding Storms
December 7, 2011 - Consumer Counsel, Attorney General Urge Regulators to Appoint Independent Utility Pole Administrator
November 28, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Cautions Connecticut Residents to be Wary of Long-Term Contracts as Electric Rates Drop
November 21, 2011 - Attorney General, Consumer Counsel Ask Regulators to Clarify Scope of Storm-Related Review
November 4, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Joins Attorney General's Request for Investigation of Utilities' Performance; Assures Residents Their Concerns Will Be Addressed
October, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Elin Katz Featured on "Meet the Leaders," a public affairs program reaching over 200,000 customers in Connecticut
October 19, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Urges Passage of Full LIHEAP Funding
October 3, 2011 - Elin Swanson Katz Assumes Role as Consumer Counsel
June 30, 2011- Giant Electricity Tax on Ratepayers is Eliminated in Legislative Session
June 30, 2011 - Connecticut Legislature Passes Major Energy Legislation that leaves OCC intact.
June 30, 2011 - The Office of Consumer Counsel Seeks Review of the Merger Between Northeast Utilities and NStar Through the Courts.
April 21, 2011 - Office of Consumer Counsel's Responses to CEAB's Post- Seminar Policy Questions Posed regrading RPS Policy Objectives -Read the full filing.
March 8, 2011 - Consumer Counsel Defends Agency's Independence Against Malloy Consolidation - When State Consumer Counsel Mary Healey sat down before the General Law Committee Tuesday she told them, "this is not the first time I'm preparing to defend my agency's independence and it's right to be the strong independent advocate the utility rate payers paid for."
December 14, 2010 - Electricity Markets and YOU - Joe Rosenthal of OCC gave the attached presentation on the status of electricity markets to the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) as part of a CBIA-sponsored panel discussion.
December 8, 2010 - OCC Files its Brief in the DPUC's Annual Review of the Conservation and Load Management Program
December 7, 2010 - Energy Efficiency Fund Presented with Leadership Award for Pioneering Energy Programs in Connecticut
November 28, 2010 - State Challenges High Salaries At Agency With Key Role In Electric Rates
November 23, 2010 - Consumer Advocates at the Smart Grid Table
November 22, 2010 - Healey Re-Elected President of National Utility Consumer Organization
November 18, 2010 - State Utility Regulators Push for Federal Consumer Representative
October 22, 2010 - Read the full Consumer Counsel's letter to the FCC encouraging immediate restoration of broadcast programming and a resolution to the dispute between News Corp. and Cablevision.
October 18, 2010 - OCC Addresses Lawsuit Regarding Hidden "Tax" on Ratepayers
September 13, 2010 - Connecticut No. 1 In Promoting Energy Efficiency
September, 2010 - Budget Act Putting Hidden Tax Charge on Connecticut Electric Customers
July 12, 2010 - Consumers Concerns About Smart Grid
November 18, 2009 - CONNECTICUT'S CONSUMER COUNSEL NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE UTILITY CONSUMER ADVOCATES
