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April 3, 2024

Aquarion to appeal Superior Court’s decision on rate case dispute

PHOTO | PIXABAY.COM A gavel.
By Andrew Larson

Aquarion Water Co. will appeal a Superior Court judge’s decision in favor of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), paving the way for a prolonged legal battle concerning PURA’s discretion over rate cases.

On March 25, New Britain Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik upheld PURA’s March 2023 decision, in which it cut $40 million from Aquarion’s proposed revenue increase. 

Aquarion requested total annual revenue of $236 million, which would have resulted in an increase to the average residential customer’s water bill of about 9%, or $61 per year.

Aquarion appealed the decision in Superior Court, saying PURA’s decision was “confiscatory” and threatened its financial stability.

Budzik disagreed. He dismissed nine of the 12 total counts in Aquarion’s appeal and found that PURA correctly applied its standards. He remanded three counts, which involved minor technicalities, to PURA for reconsideration.

Aquarion filed paperwork on March 28 stating that it will appeal to the state Appellate Court.

The Appellate Court has the ability to overrule or affirm the lower court’s decision, or to send it back to Superior Court with specific instructions.

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