Senator Tony Hwang Opposes Aquarion Water Sale in PURA Docket 25-04-03 Testimony
June 26, 2025
Cites Lack of Transparency, Threat to Consumer Protections, and Municipal Revenue Loss. Calls for Full Legislative Review and Rejection of Flawed Transaction
HARTFORD, CT — State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) delivered formal testimony before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) today, voicing strong opposition to Docket No. 25-04-03, the proposed sale of Aquarion Water Company by Eversource to the Regional Water Authority (RWA).
Senator Hwang criticized the process as deeply flawed, citing a lack of transparency, accountability, and public engagement. He warned that the transaction poses serious risks to consumers, municipal revenues, and environmental stewardship. “A transaction involving a critical public resource like water must be guided by transparency, public accountability, and environmental responsibility, not rushed through a closed-door legislative process,” said Senator Hwang.
Flawed Legislative Process Undermined Public Trust
The legislative authorization for the sale was buried in an omnibus bill (Special Session Public Act 24-1), passed in June 2024 without public debate, standalone hearings, or stakeholder engagement. Senator Hwang, who voted against the bill, called the maneuver a “deliberate end-run around open government. There was no public hearing, no consultation with municipal leaders, and no opportunity for residents to weigh in on this critical decision. That is unacceptable for a matter of such long-term consequence.”
Threat to Municipal Revenues and Local Budgets
The sale could significantly reduce property tax revenue derived from watershed lands if those lands are transferred to the tax-exempt RWA. This would deal a heavy financial blow to towns across Connecticut, threatening funding for education, emergency services, and infrastructure.
Hwang echoed the concerns of bipartisan municipal leaders, including Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, former State Senator Toni Boucher, and Charles Firlotte, a former Aquarion President, all of whom have voiced principled opposition. “This is not just a water sale, it’s a potential gutting of local revenue. We cannot allow towns to suffer financial harm without mitigation plans, understanding consequences and fiscal safeguards in place,” said Hwang.
Elimination of Regulatory Oversight and Consumer Protections
The transaction would remove Aquarion from PURA’s regulatory oversight, allowing the SCCRWA to set future water rates without public hearings or accountability. “Water is not just a utility, it’s a basic human need. Stripping away PURA’s consumer protections is dangerous. It opens the door to unchecked rate hikes and reduces transparency at a time when affordability is already a challenge for many families.”
Senator Hwang, a long-time advocate for environmental sustainability and utility reform, also raised concerns about whether the RWA will maintain the same standards for water quality, infrastructure investment, and environmental responsibility.
Call to Action: Reject the Docket and Restore Public Oversight
Senator Hwang urged PURA to reject the pending docket transaction and called on the Connecticut General Assembly to launch a full, independent, and transparent legislative review before this public utility sale is considered. “Legislative process, transparency and accountability is critical for effective governance. Municipal input and revenue concerns need to be respected. Water is not a commodity to be quietly transferred, it is a public trust. We must protect it with clear oversight, equity, and environmental stewardship. The people of Connecticut deserve better than backroom deals.”
Public comment submission remains open. To submit written testimony, send an email to PURA.Secretary@ct.gov. The next step in the process will be an evidentiary hearing on 7/17/2025.