As Connecticut continues to endure a snap of extreme cold, Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to pitch an idea to provide residents some relief on their energy bills.
The Democrat is expected to propose a one-time rebate when the state legislative session kicks off Wednesday. Lamont hinted at the idea during a Jan. 29 forum held by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.
“I look at the long-term things that people are proposing and I feel like I’ve got to do something short-term, near term, for folks who are getting crushed,” Lamont said.
“I think a lot about our heating bills during this incredibly, cold, cold January. I’ll be talking to our friends in the legislature and maybe there’s a one-time energy rebate we can provide.”
Lamont said the rebate could be up to $400.
Details of rebate emerge
The proposed rebate would be $200, $320 or $400 depending on personal income and tax filing status. It would need to be approved by state lawmakers.
In order to qualify, residents must have filed a 2024 personal income tax return. The rebate would come from the Department of Revenue Services by the end of this year.
- Single - Income Limit $200,000 | Rebate Amount - $200
- Married Filing Jointly - Income Limit $400,000 | Rebate Amount - $400
- Head of Household - Income Limit $320,000 | Rebate Amount - $320
- Married Filing Separately $200,000 | Rebate Amount - $200
“This will help address persistent inflation, rising utility costs and the on-again, off-again impacts of tariffs that have caused Connecticut residents to pay ever increasing prices for goods and services,” Chis Collibee, communications director at the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, said in a statement.
The rebate is expected to benefit 2.2 million Connecticut residents and cost the state approximately $500 million, Collibee said.
A spokesperson for Lamont said more details are expected to be released Wednesday.
High utility costs a continued problem
The relief could come after years of debate at the capitol about ways to lower energy costs.
Republican State Rep. Patrick Callahan called the move a short-term strategy for the governor’s re-election campaign.
Callahan said an elimination of the public benefits charges would be a more effective way to reign in high utility costs. Public benefits charges cover a range of costs including state-mandated programs related to energy efficiency, renewable energy and help for low-income residents.
“In the long run, we’re getting hammered on these public benefits charges month after month after month,” Callahan said.
Connecticut has some of the country’s highest electric rates, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. On top of that, the state’s cold weather snap is expected to continue.
On Monday, the governor extended the state's severe cold weather protocol until Feb. 10, marking a 19-day stretch. This will be the longest time the protocol has been in effect continuously in more than a decade, according to the governor’s office.
This story has been updated. Áine Pennello is a Report for America corps member, covering the environment and climate change for Connecticut Public.
