AARP Connecticut Statement on DEEP & PURA Final Assessment of Millstone

AARP Connecticut, the state’s largest consumer advocacy organization representing nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut, released the following statement from John Erlingheuser, state advocacy director, regarding a determination by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) that Millstone Nuclear Power Plant should receive the special treatment provided under Public Act 17-3.

“AARP Connecticut is disappointed in the final assessment by DEEP and PURA that will set in motion a process that will provide a consumer-funded subsidy for Millstone Nuclear Power Plant, even though Millstone refused to comply their requests to disclose a financial need,” said John Erlingheuser, AARP Connecticut advocacy and outreach director. “Residents in Connecticut already pay the highest electric rates in the continental U.S. and a subsidy for Millstone could cost Connecticut ratepayers an additional $300 million a year for energy. We continue to believe Millstone should not receive any special treatment and encourage residents to voice their concerns to their legislators.”

In an earlier report, DEEP and PURA concluded that the Millstone Nuclear Power plant will be profitable through the year 2035, (Docket # 17-07-32). In addition, in their release today, DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said “Dominion has not yet released verifiable data related to the fiscal health of Millstone.”

Dominion Energy, owner and operator of the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in Waterford, is asking the state for a special deal that could cause Connecticut consumers to pay more for electricity and result in bigger profits for Dominion. Dominion has repeatedly refused to disclose finances to prove the need for a subsidy.