State Sen. Tony Hwang reaffirmed his opposition on Apr. 16 to the proposed sale of Aquarion Water Company to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, following a state petition urging the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider its approval of the deal due to a significant error in projected rate increases.
The issue has drawn attention because officials say PURA’s analysis omitted about $474 million in additional rate increases through 2066, raising concerns about affordability and transparency for water customers across Connecticut.
Hwang said, “I remain firmly opposed to the sale of Aquarion Water because this was never simply a business transaction. It involves an essential public resource and demands the highest standard of transparency, accountability, affordability, and environmental stewardship.” He continued, “This latest revelation — that PURA’s approval may have overlooked approximately $474 million in future rate increases — is deeply alarming. That is not a technical footnote. It is a massive error with potentially enormous financial consequences for water customers, municipalities, and families already struggling under Connecticut’s high cost of living.”
Hwang has argued that from the beginning he opposed this sale due to what he describes as a flawed process and insufficient legislative review. He cited his June 2025 testimony before PURA where he warned that consumer protections and municipal revenues could be at risk if the deal moved forward without proper oversight. “From the beginning, I opposed this sale because the process was flawed, the legislative authorization was rushed, and the long-term risks to ratepayers and municipalities were never adequately addressed,” Hwang said.
After PURA initially denied approval in November 2025—a decision Hwang called a “watershed moment”—the agency later signaled approval in March 2026 following court-ordered reconsideration but noted ongoing concerns about customer costs and governance conflicts.
Hwang concluded by stating his position remains unchanged: “this sale should not move forward unless and until the public can be assured that customer affordability, environmental protection, municipal interests, and full regulatory accountability come first.”
