Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) said she is delighted that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has delayed its planned two-zone pricing structure for Connecticut until at least January 1, 2007.

“It is my hope that FERC’s announced delay is just the beginning of the good news for Connecticut and that, ultimately, this harmful and unfair plan will be abandoned completely,” said Senator Freedman.

Senator Freedman and other members of the legislature’s Fairfield County Caucus twice wrote to FERC to protest the two-zone pricing plan that they said would “cost their constituents approximately seven percent more in power costs, but will do nothing to resolve the power transmission problems that affect our region during peak demand.”

Senator Freedman praised the leadership demonstrated by Governor M. Jodi Rell in opposing the FERC plan and promised to support her ongoing efforts to convince the federal government to abandon the plan in favor of permitting states to develop their own solutions to energy needs. The two-zone pricing structure was to have taken effect as early as January 1, 2006.

“I believe that all of us working together, Governor Rell, other state officials, Fairfield County legislators and other lawmakers, and concerned consumers, played a strong role in convincing FERC to back off, at least for now. We have good, sound, strong reasons for opposing this two-zone pricing structure and I am hopeful that, ultimately, we will win this fight for Connecticut ratepayers,’ said Senator Freedman.