Sen. Harding Votes for Bill to Lower Energy Costs

For Immediate Release

Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement after he voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to deliver $200 million in annual savings on electric bills. This savings package includes a $100 million reduction in public benefits charges and another $100 million cut to delivery and transmission costs. The bill now awaits a vote in the House of Representatives. (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/amd/S/pdf/2025SB-00004-R00SA-AMD.pdf)

“For years, Senate Republicans have been sounding the alarm that Connecticut’s sky-high electric rates are crushing working families. This legislation does not go far enough, but thanks to Republicans constantly beating the drum and forcing Democrats to recognize this cost-of-living crisis, we are finally taking a small step in the right direction. Electric rates are still way too high. Republicans will continue to fight to eliminate the public benefits charge in the future and make our state affordable for all.”

Connecticut Senate Republicans led the charge in passing legislation two and a half years ago to require utility companies to clearly disclose public benefits charges on customer bills. Since then, Republican lawmakers have filed legislation each year to significantly reduce rates and improve the state’s overall energy policy.