OFFICE OF CONSUMER COUNSEL (OCC)

• The OCC is under the direction of the Consumer Counsel.

• The governor appoints the Consumer Counsel with the consent of either chamber.

• The OCC acts as an advocate for consumer interests in all matters that may affect Connecticut consumers with respect to public utilities, electric suppliers, and telecommunications companies regulated by the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).

QUESTIONS

1. DPUC recently approved a 22. 5% rate increase for Connecticut Light & Power, primarily due to the company's higher costs of purchased power. What can the OCC do to reduce the chances of similar increases in the future?

2. Under current law, there will be major changes in the electric market in 2007. Large customers will be subject to much higher levels of rate volatility, with their rates changing as often as once per month. Rates for all United Illuminating customers may increase substantially, What is the OCC doing to prepare customers for these changes?

3. The governor has proposed creating a new Department of Energy. How would you view OCC's role vis-à-vis the new agency?

4. As part of the governor's proposal, two new non-voting commissioners would be added to the DPUC, representing the interests of residential and commercial consumers. What is your view of this proposal?

5. Legislation is before the Energy and Technology Committee (SB 232) that would reduce the degree to which AT&T is regulated. What is your view of this legislation? More generally, is there adequate competition in the telecommunications industry, and if not, how can competition be encouraged?

6. Currently, the cable TV and telecommunications industries are subject to different regulatory frameworks, even though cable companies are providing telecommunications services and telecommunications companies are providing video services. Should the laws governing the industries be changed to reflect these changes in these markets, and if so, how?

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