Sen. Fazio Statement on Approved Aquarion Sale

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) today released the following statement regarding the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s final decision on the proposed merger between Aquarion and the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority:

“For nearly two years, since this issue arose out of nowhere, I have said that this deal stinks for utility customers across Connecticut. From the beginning, it was clear this was a bad deal for ratepayers and transparency.

In 2024, 2025, and 2026, I introduced legislation to reverse legal permission for this merger. Each time, those efforts were rejected by Gov. Lamont and legislative Democrats. The governor failed to show leadership and defend consumers, despite the growing and well-founded concerns being raised by lawmakers, local officials, and residents of both parties.

Permission for this deal was rushed through the legislative process without a public hearing, without proper vetting, and without giving the public a meaningful voice. The deal will take away consumer protections, lead to increased costs for consumers, and it will also put RWA customers at risk of greater operational liabilities of a quasi-governmental body that is now tripling in size.

Now that this decision has been finalized, I will continue to fight for relief for utility consumers while the governor and Democratic leadership sit on their hands.”