Bridgeport Celebrates PURA’s Decision To Deny The Sale Of Aquarion Water Company

The following news release is from the City of Bridgeport:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Municipal and Regional leaders from across southwestern Connecticut today celebrate the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) decision to deny the sale of Aquarion Water Company from Eversource to a new public authority, the Aquarion Water Authority (AWA), which would operate alongside the South-Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA). Today’s decision is a resounding success for the coalition of municipalities that have fought for months to oppose the transaction due to potential increases in water rates, loss of local control, and reduced municipal revenues.

"PURA's decision to deny the sale of Aquarion Water Company is a huge win for the City of Bridgeport and for our neighboring cities and towns,” stated Mayor Ganim. “I hope this proves that there will be no rate increases due to the sale of Aquarion Water. I thank PURA for protecting our residents from increased rates."

“Today’s decision by PURA’s to deny the sale of Aquarion Water Company is a massive victory for our member municipalities and the ratepayers of our Region who would have been negatively impacted by this transaction,” said MetroCOG Executive Director Matthew Fulda. “This application was fundamentally flawed, financially risky and not in the public’s best interest. PURA’s decision asserts that the concerns of residential ratepayers, chief elected officials, and local stakeholders within our Region were warranted. I am thankful to all of those who expressed their concerns and to PURA for protecting our consumers and communities.

The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) intervened on behalf of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford & Trumbull. Along with other Public Intervenors, they argued that the proposed transaction would have been detrimental to water ratepayers, local control, and municipal revenues.

“I am thankful for the MetroCOG Board of Directors commitment to unanimously oppose this transaction on behalf of their constituents and the region, Matthew Fulda said. Today’s decision highlights the power of strong local and regional partnerships.”