PURA’s Marissa Gillett — a leader and agent for change

We have a treasure in Connecticut, and I am not sure how many people know it. Her name is Marissa Gillett, and she is the chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (“PURA”).

I have had the pleasure to get to know Gillett in my work as an advocate for a clean and equitable energy future. Gillett is a leader, a visionary, and a change maker. We should all be honored to have Gillett working for us.

PURA regulates the utilities in Connecticut. Utilities are a monopoly; you can’t choose who delivers your electricity to your house or business. Many of the utilities in Connecticut are also investor-owned, meaning the utilities have a profit motivation. A monopoly and a profit motivation can be a dangerous combination, which is why PURA exists. PURA is there to make sure that the utilities earn a fair profit while also protecting us, the residents and business owners of Connecticut.

Chairman Gillett’s leadership has not been welcomed by utilities. Gillett has followed PURA’s rules, taken a critical eye to the proposals of the utilities, and fought for Nutmeggers. What a novel concept! Avangrid tried to pressure Gillett into allowing excessive increases in rates — and by extension electric bills of Connecticut residents — and PURA responded by reprimanding Avangrid. In response to Gillett’s leadership, Avangrid started a political campaign against her and coerced other entities to do their bidding . Needless to say, utilities are not happy with Gillett.

But why are the utilities unhappy? Despite insinuations to the contrary, Gillett and PURA are not a threat to the viability of utilities in Connecticut. The utilities will continue to be able to serve us and make a fair profit. What is at risk is excessive profits; excessive profits that almost exclusively benefit shareholders. What is more important, excessive shareholder returns or utility bills that we can afford?

Gillett recognizes that the current system is broken. The profit motivations of utilities are not in the best interest of us, the people who pay utility bills. We need to fundamentally reevaluate the way in which utilities operate, and PURA is working on that under Gillett’s guidance . We need change, and change will only happen with a leader at the helm of PURA .

This month, Gov. Ned Lamont has a choice to make. Who is going to lead PURA for the next few years? Now is not the time for Lamont to waiver in his support for Gillett’s leadership. Now is the time for the governor to embrace the leadership that he established with Gillett.

Now is the time to recognize that Marissa Gillett is a fierce advocate for all of us, and a hidden gem for the state.

Nathan Phelps is Managing Director, Regulatory Advocacy Hub for Vote Solar.

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