Substitute House Bill No. 5245 establishes a framework for municipal electric aggregation programs in Connecticut, enabling municipalities to collectively procure electric supply and related services for their residents and businesses. The bill introduces key definitions such as "public aggregator," "eligible customer," and "municipal aggregation plan," and allows municipalities to form public aggregators through an affirmative vote of their legislative bodies and the approval of their chief executive officers. It mandates the development of a municipal aggregation plan that ensures universal access, reliable service, and equitable treatment of all customer classes. Customers will be auto-enrolled in the program unless they opt out, with specific protections for those who have opted out of information sharing or are shielded from service shutoff.

The bill also includes provisions for customer communication, requiring public aggregators to notify customers about automatic enrollment and their rights to opt out without penalties. It expands the enforcement authority of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to include program suppliers and consultants, allowing for penalties for violations of the bill's provisions. Additionally, it repeals certain exemptions for municipalities and regional water authorities regarding electric generation services and allows cooperative, nonprofit corporations to generate and supply electric energy using renewable resources. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency, consumer choice, and regulatory oversight in municipal aggregation programs, with an effective date set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-245b
ET Joint Favorable: 16-245b
File No. 375: 16-245b