Connecticut Voters: Disclosure of Finances Needed before Power Plant Subsidy Approval

New survey results from AARP Connecticut show majority want financial disclosure and have concerns with state residents funding nuclear power plant subsidy

According to a wide-ranging survey by AARP Research, a large majority of registered Connecticut voters want to ensure the state’s consumers will be protected from fully funding a proposed subsidy for a nuclear power plant that generates electricity for homes and businesses across multiple New England states.

In addition, 87 percent of survey respondents feel Dominion Power – owner of the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in Waterford, CT, that has said operating in Connecticut is unprofitable and requested a state subsidy to compensate – should provide their customers and state legislators with financial reports that show a loss in profit.

“The survey further demonstrates the concerns of Connecticut voters that these requests from power companies do not reflect the best interests of the ratepayers,” said AARP Connecticut Advocacy Director, John Erlingheuser. “Dominion forcing a subsidy onto Connecticut residents will have a wide-ranging impact on consumers – which are already burdened with one of the highest costs for electricity among all states. AARP echoes the sentiments of other consumer advocates, and Connecticut voters, that Dominion Power should have to disclose their losses and or profits before any decisions are made.”

Key survey findings:
• More than three quarters of respondents (78%) feel funding for any approved subsidy should be spread across all of the New England states Millstone serves and not just Connecticut.
• Over half of the residents (55%) would oppose Connecticut providing a subsidy to Dominion Power, even if they can demonstrate a loss of profits.
• While 58% of the respondents agree Dominion Power should be allowed to make decisions they view are in the best interest of the consumers and business if they are losing money, the majority are unwilling to pay a surcharge on their monthly electricity bill for a subsidy. More than half (55%) would oppose a surcharge as low as $3 a month, while 60% would oppose $5, 68% would oppose $8, and 74% would oppose $10.

Survey results are from an AARP commissioned telephone survey of 800 Connecticut residents age 45 and older that was conducted between October 31, 2016 and November 10, 2016. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

The full results of the report can be found online as well.