United Illuminating Official Nominated For PURA Board; Betkoski Retiring

Republican Leader Unhappy With Lamont’s Handling Of Agency

by Hudson Kamphausen CTNewsJunkie

Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday nominated David A. Arconti, Jr., a former state representative currently serving as vice president of state government relations for United Illuminating, to serve on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s board as a commissioner.
Lamont said he announced Arconti’s nomination after receiving a letter from the current vice chair of PURA’s board, John Betkoski III, announcing his intention to retire at the end of the year.
Arconti, of Danbury, won five terms in the House of Representatives and co-chaired the Energy and Technology Committee before opting not to run for re-election in 2022, transitioning into a government relations career. From there, he took a job as Fuel Cell Energy’s director of community engagement, where he worked with state and local government officials and other community partners on developing strategies to deliver clean, affordable energy throughout Connecticut.

Arconti then moved into his current job for United Illuminating – the state’s second-largest public utility company – in September 2023.
“He is going to bring a fresh perspective to PURA, and I know that from his experience he will be able to work with lawmakers and utilities to develop strategies that advance our goals of bringing cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable power to consumers,” Lamont said.
As a legislator, Arconti is credited with ushering the “Take Back Our Grid” bill through the legislature during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is regarded at the Capitol as one of the most significant utility reforms in more than 20 years, arriving after the state’s energy utilities came under fire for slow responses to major weather events and persistent annual rate hikes. The legislation changed energy utility regulation from a cost-of-service ratemaking model, which had been in place for decades, to a performance-based model that PURA is developing.

“There’s a lot of exciting work happening here,” Arconti said in a statement, adding that he was looking forward to contributing to innovation and sustainable energy solutions. “I am eager to collaborate with Chair Gillett, Vice Chairman Betkoski, Commissioner Caron, and all the dedicated staff at PURA. Together, we’ll make a real difference for our state.”
However, while House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said he was “hopeful” about the addition of Arconti to the board based on his experience, he also expressed misgivings about rising costs for ratepayers and the governor’s management of the authority.
“The severe issues of unaffordability and instability in our state’s energy sector should be the most pressing concerns for the Governor, yet he treats the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) like a hobby that can be picked up whenever he feels like it,” Candelora said in a statement.

He said Arconti’s background in legislation and energy makes him hopeful, but added that he is worried that PURA is being run out of the governor’s office in a non-transparent way.
“[Lamont’s] failure to present a semblance of a long-term strategy on energy policy will keep ratepayers under financial pressure for the foreseeable future and discourage much-needed investments by utility companies who are finding it increasingly difficult to do business here,” he continued.
The addition of Arconti to the PURA board comes with Lamont’s announcement of the impending departure of Betkoski, who is the longest-serving member of the PURA board. The move will take effect at the end of 2024, before the beginning of the new legislative session.

Betkoski said that he was grateful for his 38 years in the state government, and the 13 years he spent at PURA. He said Arconti will be a “fine addition” to the agency. 
“I have been blessed to work with so many great people over the years, including four governors,” he said in a statement. “I have always found [Arconti] to be genuine, eager, and knowledgeable about the issues we deal with here at PURA and look forward to working with David, Chair Gillett, and Commissioner Caron.”
Lamont shared his gratitude for Betkoski’s years of service to Connecticut.

“Jack’s service to the state is to be applauded, and I am grateful that he will remain with PURA through the end of the year and enable a transition period as David Arconti joins the leadership team of this important office,” his statement continued.
Arconti will serve as the de facto replacement for Betkoski, operating in an interim capacity until the legislature considers nomination during the early days of the 2025 legislative session.
Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex – who served as Arconti’s co-chair on the Energy & Technology Committee – said that he is a “great choice” to fill Betkoski’s spot. 

“[Arconti is] bringing a level of expertise to PURA that will serve ratepayers and residents of Connecticut well. His work ethic and good judgement, and his thoughtful approach to energy policy, offered me a lot to learn from in my time working with him. I believe he will be a great addition to the Authority’s board,” Needleman said in a statement.