The legislation also includes the creation of an energy procurement officer’s position within a newly combined Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Connecticut would become one of only two states in the country — the other being Illinois — to have its own energy procurement officer. The legislation is anticipated to save Connecticut ratepayers at least 5 percent on their home energy bills and begin to bring Connecticut’s rates more in line with those of neighboring states.

In separate legislation, the General Assembly also eliminated an unfair surcharge on electric bills that began impacting utility customers in January 2011. Eliminating that surcharge will save Connecticut ratepayers more than $600 million.

AARP Connecticut State Director Brenda Kelley said, “On behalf of our nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut and all 50+ Connecticut residents, AARP would like to thank the many community organizations, volunteers and advocates that worked with us to ensure the interests of older adults were heard, and listened to, by our state legislators, especially during one of the worst budget years in recent memory. Amid these fiscal challenges, AARP members and volunteers stepped up and made a difference by championing legislation that will put money back into the pockets and improve the lives of countless older adults and their families, right here in Connecticut.”