Outgoing CT Agency Chief Exits Voting, Leaving Utilities Decisions Uncertain

Connecticut’s utility oversight world just got a jolt. Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Chair Marissa Gillett has resigned, effective October 10.

She’s stepping away—and recusing herself from every pending matter—while legal threats from energy giants Eversource and Avangrid swirl. Accusations of mishandled records inside PURA have added fuel to the fire, leaving the agency in a precarious spot.

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Folks from Hartford to Stamford are left wondering how this shakeup will affect their bills and businesses. The outcome could change the way Connecticut tackles big rate cases for months, maybe longer.

Leadership Shakeup at PURA

Marissa Gillett’s resignation hit after utilities accused her of bias in her decisions, calling them “unlawful.” They said she showed partiality, and that was enough to trigger an uproar.

The controversy grew when emails Gillett once said didn’t exist suddenly surfaced. That discovery sparked calls for her impeachment and gave the state’s largest utilities more ammunition for their legal threats.

Accusations Against PURA Counsel

PURA’s general counsel, Scott Muska, faces allegations of improperly denying or deleting records that should have been released. This has only ramped up questions about transparency.

People in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury are starting to wonder if the agency is really doing its job. Trust in PURA seems to be eroding by the day.

An Agency with Barely Enough Commissioners

Now that Gillett’s out of the picture for active cases, PURA has just two sitting commissioners. That’s a problem—do they even have a legal quorum to make decisions?

Experts in Middletown and New Britain are watching the situation. Without a quorum, key proceedings could stall, leaving thousands of customers in limbo over their utility rates.

Major Cases on Hold

The hearings on the schedule right now include:

United Illuminating’s $105 million rate increase request
Yankee Gas proceedings
The proposed sale of Aquarion Water

All these cases could have big consequences for residents and businesses from Norwich to Danbury. If PURA can’t rule, delays seem inevitable—and ratepayers might not like the outcome.

Governor Lamont’s Recruitment Challenge

Governor Ned Lamont says he’ll fill all five PURA commissioner seats by year’s end. But who wants the job right now, with the agency in turmoil and its reputation battered?

This hiring headache means the state can’t regulate rates or oversee utility practices as smoothly as it should. Towns like Torrington and Norwalk are hoping for quick solutions, but it’s clear the governor has his work cut out for him.

Potential Appointees

Some names floating around for the open seats:

Former state Rep. Holly Cheeseman
Attorney Joaquina Borges King
Former PURA Chair Arthur House
Election Commission Counsel Clare Kindall

Each candidate brings something different to the table. Even so, whoever steps in will face a mountain of pressure right from the start.

Legal Battles Ahead

The utilities look ready to push lawsuits that challenge past PURA rulings capping their revenue recovery. If they win, a new commission might have to revisit—or even reverse—decisions that consumer advocates in places like Stamford and West Hartford had cheered.

Wall Street Reacts

Wall Street, for its part, seems relieved to see Gillett go. Analysts think her exit could mean a more “balanced and credit-supportive” regulatory climate in Connecticut, which the utilities clearly prefer.

But for most folks living in cities and small towns, the real question is whether their rates will rise—and if anyone’s left to stand up for them.

What This Means for Connecticut Residents

If you own a home in Greenwich, run a small business in Manchester, or commute through Meriden, the shakeup at PURA isn’t just political noise. It’s about who actually gets to decide the rates and rules for the services you rely on every day.

With leadership changes, lawsuits piling up, and hearings stuck in limbo, nobody can say for sure where Connecticut’s utility regulation is headed. October 10 is coming fast, and there’s a real scramble to steady PURA’s leadership and keep things transparent.

People just want to avoid surprise rate hikes, but right now, it feels like everyone’s holding their breath. Folks all over the state—whether you’re by the coast or further inland—are keeping an eye on Hartford, wondering what’s next in this ongoing utility drama.

Here is the source article for this story: Outgoing CT agency chief bows out of new votes. Lack of leader could impact decisions on utilities.

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