NC, CT Advance Competing Electric Cost-Cutting Bills

Major energy bills are advancing in both North Carolina and Connecticut, each aiming to reduce electric bills for consumers but with differing strategies and impacts. North Carolina's 'Power Bill Reduction Act' would eliminate the state's 2030 carbon emissions target and permit utilities to raise rates to fund new power plant construction, drawing both support for reliability improvements and criticism over potential ongoing rate hikes. In Connecticut, the Senate has passed legislation cutting the Public Benefits Charge and reducing renewable energy subsidies, potentially saving customers about $200 a year and removing $800 million in charges over three years. The Connecticut bill also shifts some funding to long-term borrowing, with a House vote expected before the legislative session ends. Debates in both states center on whether the measures adequately address high energy costs while balancing reliability and climate goals. These efforts reflect a broader national trend of lawmakers seeking to address rising energy prices through legislative action.