Governor Lamont Nominates David Arconti To Serve as a Commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

PURA Vice Chairman Jack Betkoski Informs the Governor of His Plans To Retire at the End of the Year

Posted on July 25, 2024

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is nominating David A. Arconti, Jr. of Danbury to serve as a commissioner of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the state agency responsible for overseeing the services of the state’s investor-owned utilities, including electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications companies. Additionally, Governor Lamont announced that he has received notification from PURA Vice Chairman John W. “Jack” Betkoski III informing him of his intention to retire at the end of 2024.

“I’ve known David Arconti for several years, and during this time he’s been deeply interested in energy policy, particularly when it comes to matters concerning the promotion of clean energy and the enactment of policies that will reduce energy costs for consumers,” Governor Lamont said. “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. I also must applaud Jack Betkoski for his many years of public service to the people of Connecticut. In addition to his many years with PURA, he served for several years in the General Assembly and has worked with various human services agencies over the course of his career. 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.”

Arconti is currently the vice president of state government relations for United Illuminating in a position that he has held since September 2023. In this role, he works with lawmakers and other state officials on the development of policies related to the utility company’s general operations. Immediately prior to his current job, he was the director of community engagement for Fuel Cell Energy, where he engaged with state and local government officials and community partners on strategies to deliver affordable and clean energy solutions to communities throughout Connecticut.

Beginning in January 2013, Arconti served five consecutive terms as a state representative in the Connecticut House of Representatives for the 109th Assembly District of Danbury before deciding not to seek re-election in 2022. Most notably during his time in the state legislature, he served for several years as co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee in a position that required him to work with key stakeholders to oversee the development of all energy-related legislation. This includes delivering passage of the Take Back Our Grid Act, which was the biggest utility reform enacted in the state in more than two decades and changed the way energy utilities are regulated from a cost-of-service ratemaking structure to a performance-based structure.

He is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University.

“I am truly honored to have this opportunity to serve as a commissioner at PURA,” Arconti said. “I want to thank Governor Lamont for this incredible opportunity and extend my gratitude to Commissioner Betkoski for years of dedicated service to our state. There’s a lot of exciting work happening here, and I can’t wait to contribute to innovative and sustainable energy solutions for Connecticut. 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.”

Betkoski has served on Connecticut’s utility regulatory authority since 1997 when he was appointed as a commissioner of what was then-known as the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). He was named vice chair of that body in 2007. When DPUC was dissolved and PURA was established in 2011 as the state’s new utility regulatory authority, he was appointed to serve as a director and vice chair of that entity.

“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have served the State of Connecticut for almost thirty-eight years,” Vice Chairman Betkoski said. “I have been blessed to work with so many great people over the years, including four governors. Former Energy and Technology Chairman David Arconti will be a fine addition to the Authority. I have always found him 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.”

Arconti will begin serving at PURA in an interim capacity effective August 5, 2024. At the start of the 2025 regular legislative session, the Office of the Governor will forward his nomination to the Connecticut General Assembly for its advice and consent.

PURA commissioners serve four-year terms.