Lamont Struggles to Fill Connecticut PURA Utility Board Amid Controversy

Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is in a tough spot. The agency, which oversees electric, water, and other utilities, has lost several members lately and now has just two out of the five it really needs.

This leadership gap comes at a time when strong oversight feels more important than ever. Governor Ned Lamont is actively hunting for new board members, but finding people willing to jump into this mess isn’t proving easy.

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PURA Faces Leadership Crisis

Chairwoman Marissa Gillett, who’s both a lawyer and an engineer, has been at the helm since 2019. She’s officially stepping down on October 10.

Gillett’s style divided people—some praised her for standing up for ratepayers, while others, especially utility execs and Republican lawmakers, weren’t fans. Her exit leaves Connecticut with one less person to push back against giants like Eversource and United Illuminating (UI).

Only Two Members Remain

Right now, the PURA board has just David Arconti, a former Democratic legislator from Danbury, and Michael Caron, whose term technically ended in 2021 but he’s still serving. With only two members, decisions can easily stall.

This affects cities and towns all over Connecticut—Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury—you name it.

Why Recruiting New Commissioners Is So Difficult

Lamont insists that salary isn’t the problem. PURA commissioners can make anywhere from $152,000 to over $200,000 a year.

But the agency’s political drama and constant public attention are pushing away potential candidates from places like New Britain, Middletown, and Norwalk.

The Skills PURA Needs Most

Lamont’s looking for people who know regulation, business, and finance inside out. They need to be tough enough to stand up to Connecticut’s powerful utility companies.

It’s not just about technical know-how. These leaders have to handle heated disputes and sometimes pretty wild public hearings.

Possible New Faces at PURA

One possible contender is Holly Cheeseman, a Republican from East Lyme who’s served on the legislature’s finance committee. She’s dealt with state budgets and policy, which could come in handy at PURA.

The agency’s reach goes beyond just electricity and water—it’s also about things like cybersecurity and data privacy.

Collaboration Is Key

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff from Norwalk says the next appointee needs to cool things down and bring people together. That’s no small feat.

It means listening to rural towns like Tolland as well as bigger cities such as New Britain, and making sure everyone gets reliable, fairly priced utility service.

Balancing Experience and Fresh Perspectives

Lamont wants a mix—seasoned retirees who know the ropes and younger folks who want to shake things up. But honestly, convincing anyone to wade into this political storm isn’t easy.

This struggle to find new commissioners is being felt from Torrington all the way to Stamford.

The Stakes for Connecticut Utility Customers

With just two board members, PURA’s ability to approve policies and handle complaints is limited. There’s a real risk that regulatory reform slows down, or that responses to rising energy costs and storm recovery get delayed.

Connecticut’s cities and towns could feel the impact for a while.

Governor Lamont’s Next Steps

Lamont’s talking with community leaders, legislators, and industry experts to get some fresh ideas. He’s not just looking to fill seats—he wants people who can actually handle Connecticut’s tricky utility scene.

At the end of the day, he’s hoping to find folks who’ll keep the needs of residents in places like Norwich and Hamden front and center. That’s the real challenge.

A Test of Political Will

The next few weeks will show if Lamont can actually break through the roadblocks that have kept candidates away. Gillett’s exit is right around the corner, which makes the need to rebuild PURA’s regulatory muscle feel almost urgent.

Whatever happens will set the tone for how utilities run—and what people end up paying—in Connecticut for a long time.

PURA has just two members right now—three shy of a full lineup.

Chairwoman Marissa Gillett steps down on October 10.

The agency has a bit of a reputation for drama, which has scared off plenty of potential candidates.

Governor Lamont says he’s looking for folks who really get regulation, business, and finance.

One possible pick: Holly Cheeseman.

PURA doesn’t just handle electric rates. It’s also on the hook for water, cybersecurity, and privacy.

This leadership gap could ripple out to towns all over the state, from Hartford to East Lyme.

Honestly, Connecticut’s scramble to rebuild PURA isn’t just about filling seats—it’s a big moment for the state’s energy future.

Here is the source article for this story: Lamont struggles to fill PURA board amid controversy around the CT utility regulatory agency

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