CT Judge: PURA Broke Law, Orders New Utility Rate Hearings

The recent court ruling involving Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) has rattled the state’s energy and political world. A Superior Court judge said PURA, under former chairwoman Marissa Gillett, broke state law and the rights of two major gas companies by letting Gillett act without proper authority.

This case affects Connecticut Natural Gas Corp. and Southern Connecticut Gas Co. It might also shake up how regulatory decisions happen all over Connecticut, from Hartford to New Haven.

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Judge’s Decision in the PURA Case

Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik decided that Gillett wrongly put herself in charge of a gas rate case involving two Avangrid-owned utilities. He found no legal reason for her move and sent the matter back to PURA for new hearings.

Implications for Connecticut’s Utility Regulation

Now that the case returns to PURA, people expect more scrutiny of decisions made under Gillett. This ruling in Hartford has already sparked conversations among officials in Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford about the need for open and lawful regulatory processes.

Referral of PURA Attorneys for Discipline

Judge Budzik also referred PURA attorneys Scott Muska and Seth Hollander to the Statewide Grievance Committee. These referrals carry some weight, hinting at possible misconduct inside the state’s energy regulatory body.

Details of Alleged Misconduct

Muska faced accusations of filing a misleading affidavit. Hollander admitted that PURA hid key information about an auto-delete function on Gillett’s phone during the case.

These revelations have made people in cities like Waterbury and New Britain uneasy about the trustworthiness of evidence in regulatory proceedings.

Violation of the Freedom of Information Act

The court pointed out that PURA broke Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act. This only adds to the seriousness of the ruling and brings up bigger questions about transparency in government.

Impact on Public Trust

Residents in Milford, Danbury, and New Haven count on access to information so they can have a say in regulatory matters. This breach might shake their confidence in the state’s willingness to follow its own rules.

Avangrid’s Response

Avangrid welcomed the court’s decision, saying it proves PURA’s actions caused both financial and reputational harm to its utility subsidiaries. The company stressed that fair regulatory processes matter for everyone—utilities and customers alike.

Looking Ahead for Utility Providers

Avangrid’s customers across Connecticut—from West Haven to Middletown—will be watching what happens next. Folks are hoping for some stability and fairness in future rate cases, though who really knows how it’ll play out?

Political Ramifications

Governor Ned Lamont has started to overhaul PURA’s leadership. He recently picked Thomas Wiehl as chair and added former state legislator Holly Cheeseman as a member.

The idea is to restore some trust in the agency’s work, but it’s a tall order.

Republican Leaders Call for Accountability

After the ruling, Republicans like Stephen Harding and Vincent Candelora called out what they see as failures in Lamont’s oversight. They’re pushing for more accountability in state agencies, a message that’s getting attention from Greenwich to Torrington.

Potential for Wider Review

This court decision could open the door to a bigger review of PURA’s recent cases and how it does business. Lawmakers and residents will be watching to see if these problems have affected other energy decisions across the state.

What This Means for Connecticut Residents

If you’re a ratepayer in Manchester, Fairfield, or anywhere nearby, this ruling is a wake-up call. Regulatory agencies have to stick to the law—no shortcuts, no bending the rules.

It’s a clear signal that someone needs to keep a close eye on how these agencies work. Protecting both the public and private businesses isn’t just a formality; it’s the whole point.

Connecticut’s attention is now on PURA, the Governor’s office, and the folks just stepping into leadership roles. Will this ruling spark real change or just stir things up for a while? Honestly, it depends on how seriously the state deals with what Judge Budzik found.

Here is the source article for this story: CT judge rules utility regulators broke the law, orders new rate hearings

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