Gov. Lamont Knew of Connecticut PURA Infighting, Spoke to Chair

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont recently spoke out about the turmoil inside the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). He said he knew about the tension among commissioners but didn’t step in, since PURA runs independently.

After former chairwoman Marissa Gillett resigned in October, questions about leadership and transparency really took off. People started wondering what’s next for PURA and utility regulation across Connecticut.

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The Governor’s Role in PURA’s Conflict

Lamont said he learned about disputes among PURA commissioners, especially between Gillett and Commissioners Michael A. Caron and John W. Betkoski. He encouraged Gillett to work with her colleagues, but made it clear he wouldn’t micromanage the agency’s inner workings.

He seems to think regulatory independence matters, but so does basic cooperation. It’s a tricky line to walk, honestly.

Behind the Internal Disagreements

The whole mess went public when Commissioner Caron testified in a civil case about Eversource Energy. Caron said he and Betkoski got “sidelined” from key duties, like losing access to PURA staff and being pushed out of utility case leadership.

Feeling shut out, Caron took his concerns straight to Lamont and Chief of Staff Matthew Brokman. That move brought the issue into the spotlight.

Marissa Gillett’s Leadership Style and Resignation

Gillett, who came from Maryland, preferred a “single point of contact” management style. Some people thought it made things run smoother, but others felt it left them out of important decisions.

Her resignation in October changed how the public saw PURA’s leadership. Suddenly, there was room for new ideas—or maybe just less drama.

Governor Lamont’s Support for Tough Utility Oversight

Lamont still backed Gillett’s tough approach toward utilities. He believes PURA needs to keep big companies in check, even if that causes friction inside the agency.

That attitude seems pretty common in Hartford. Folks in cities like Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, and Norwich want dependable, fair utility service. Who could blame them?

Eversource’s Perspective

Eversource Energy didn’t comment directly on Caron’s testimony. Instead, the company described this period as one marked by record destruction and a lack of transparency.

Eversource says it wants a more cooperative relationship with the state. They’re signaling they’d like to rebuild some trust with regulators.

The Challenge of Recruiting for PURA

Lamont admitted that the ongoing disputes made it harder to recruit new commissioners. When leadership quarrels overshadow public policy, it’s tough to attract experienced, collaborative people.

He thinks expanding from three to five members—bringing in folks from Stamford, Danbury, Meriden, and Manchester—could help turn things around. Maybe a bigger, more diverse group will bring some fresh energy.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for PURA

With a new five-member PURA panel, there’s hope the agency can move past old conflicts. The main goal is to regulate Connecticut’s utilities fairly and effectively.

That means building stronger electrical systems, improving customer service, and listening to people in towns from Torrington to New London. It’s a tall order, but maybe this really is a turning point.

Key Takeaways Moving Forward

The situation at PURA gives us a few clear lessons about governance and utility regulation:

Independence Matters: Regulatory bodies have to work without political interference if they want to keep credibility and fairness.
Collaboration is Essential: Commissioners really need open lines of communication for decisions to get made efficiently.
Leadership Styles Can Clash: Focusing only on efficiency sometimes leaves out inclusivity and transparency, and that’s a real problem.
Recruitment Requires Stability: Internal fights can scare off good candidates.
Utility Oversight Is Critical: Strong regulation keeps companies focused on the public interest.
Public Trust Is Fragile: Earning back confidence in regulatory agencies should always stay at the top of the list.

PURA’s changing lineup could shift the focus back to what Connecticut residents actually care about—accountability, transparency, and keeping the lights on. Will the agency pull it off as they reorganize? That’s the big question, and the answer will matter in every corner of the state, not just Hartford.

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Here is the source article for this story: What did CT Gov. Lamont know about infighting at PURA? Here’s what he said

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