Senator Fazio Responds to Administration’s Clean Energy Selections and DEEP’s Closure of Offshore Resource Solicitation

HARTFORD, CT- Today, Senator Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) issued the following statement in response to the administration’s announcement regarding its clean energy selections, which includes the closing of DEEP’s solicitation for offshore resources:

“I am pleased that the administration has decided to pause new offshore wind power purchases for the time being. My Republican colleagues and I have spent the entire year warning that any new offshore wind purchase would likely cost four to five times more than the market rate for electricity, potentially raising consumer bills by hundreds of dollars in the future. We have consistently urged the administration to reject any new purchases, and we are glad that they have chosen to follow that advice today.

“While today’s decision will help prevent further electric rate hikes, we must also take action to ensure energy remains affordable for years to come. The five-point plan that I co-authored aims to reduce costs and improve future reliability. It includes cutting the “public benefits” tax, capping state subsidies for energy contracts, ensuring all forms of clean energy compete on an equal footing, securing our winter natural gas supply, and strengthening utility oversight. I continue to urge Democratic leadership to join us in passing our ratepayer relief plan. My Republican colleagues and I stand ready to collaborate with anyone and everyone to make our state more affordable for all.”