Hartford Business Journal

20 Hartford Business Journal • July 31, 2017 www.HartfordBusiness.com OPINION & COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Millstone issue requires more independent analysis W hen a government official asks for a "study" to be completed on a legislative pro- posal, it's oftentimes a delay tactic to avoid a decision on a controversial topic. We often criticize such requests as political gamesmanship, especially when there is simply no need to study an issue further. We prefer action over deliberation. There are, however, some exceptions. For example, we applaud Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's decision last week to order a study on the economic conditions and competitive landscape impacting Millstone Power Plant, whose owners have threatened to close its nuclear reac- tors in Watertown if lawmakers don't grant it a new, more lucrative way to sell its power. Millstone's demands were reflected in one of the most controversial bills this legis- lative session; it passed the Senate but failed to garner enough support in the House. Virginia-based Dominion Resources, Millstone's operator, is still pushing for the bill to be passed in a special session. Stakes surrounding the issue are extremely high. Not only is Millstone a major employer but it produces nearly half the state's electricity. It's also a carbon-free power source, helping the state meet its clean-energy goals. Changing the way Millstone is allowed to sell its power, by allowing it to compete in a state-run bidding process for renewable and clean energy, could significantly impact Connecticut's electricity prices. If Millstone were to close, the consequences are just as frightening — the state would lose a major clean-energy source and good-paying jobs. The problem is, there's been very little clear and independent analysis of the bill's impact, leaving ratepayers and lawmakers in the lurch. Flying blind on a bill of such importance doesn't lead to good policymaking. Millstone says the legislation is necessary to help stabilize its profits at a time when many other U.S. nuclear plants are closing because of high costs and steep competition from natural gas plants. In Connecticut, natural gas prices helped drag down wholesale power prices to record lows last year, which hurt Millstone. At least one report, however, said Millstone is still profitable. An opposition group — made up of an odd coalition of power plants, environmentalists and the AARP — released a report in April arguing Millstone recorded a $150 million after-tax profit in 2016. A report from MIT researchers earlier this year also estimated that Millstone was the most profitable nuke plant in the country. Dominion — a publicly traded company that doesn't break out Millstone's individual finances — says its profits are shrinking, but so far it has refused to open its books and be transparent with lawmakers about its financial position. That's a major red flag. The nuclear plant also said the bill could help lower electricity prices, but its oppo- nents argue the opposite. In a state already burdened by some of the highest energy prices in the country, that's another major concern. Meantime, ratepayers are caught in the middle of this political fight. The only clear answer is that legislators and the public need more data to make a sound decision on this issue. Greenlighting the new purchasing process simply because Millstone's owners have been apoplectic with lawmakers' inaction is no way to govern. State government can't be held hostage by a single company. While we've long advocated for a more fair and just business climate in the state, we often oppose government's tendencies to offer special deals to individual companies. It upsets the balance of a level playing field. So, let's head back to the classroom and study this issue some more. Malloy has asked that a report be completed by the start of next year's legislative session. Waiting a few more months won't put Millstone out of business. We need more transparency and facts before an informed decision can be made. n HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM POLL Is Hartford an attractive city for Millennials? ● Yes ● No To vote, go online to HartfordBusiness.com. Last week's poll results: Is the state employees' concessions package a good deal for CT taxpayers? 19% Yes 81% No COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Despite problems, Hartford's civic health improving By Ted Carroll T here's been a lot of concern at the national level about the brokenness of our politics. But in local communities across Amer- ica, there are countless examples of govern- ment officials being honest, courageous, transparent and com- mitted to genuine citi- zen engagement. For- tunately, despite all of its current financial, social and education- al issues, Hartford itself is becoming an example of how civic leaders can address those challenges. Of course, the Capital City was not always the model of good governance. Twenty years ago last month, the Hartford Board of Edu- cation was formally dissolved and the state took over the management of the school dis- trict, a responsibility it would assume for the next five years. The reasons for the takeover were many and varied. Chronically low stu- dent test scores were a factor, but there was also a lack of confidence in the school sys- tem's ability to even manage itself let alone address the needs of students. Trust in the elected school board, on which I served as a member, had eroded to a point where our meetings were so out of control that some citizens physically surround- ed board members in Dec. 1996 to pres- sure us to vote for a candidate for super- intendent they pre- ferred over the more highly qualified can- didate the board was favoring. Several weeks later, one parent took such strong offense at a board member's comments that he rose from the audience and dumped a pitcher of ice water on the lap of my colleague. The next morning, it is reported that Gov. John Rowland called House Speaker Tom Ritter to discuss how the state should inter- vene. They concluded that Hartford could not fix itself. Five months later, the takeover began. The takeover reflected the city's broken civic infrastructure at that time. But 20 years later, there are promising signs of improved civic health in the Capital City. In June, Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, the school district's new superintendent, con- vened a "community conversation" aimed at helping her think through a process for redesigning Hartford's schools. Despite some good progress in the district, particu- larly these last 10 years, Hartford is still faced with too many schools that are failing and a financial picture that looks as bleak as ever. The superintendent has made it plain that business as usual will not work. Change must come. Torres-Rodriguez has correctly deter- mined that the district's multiple stakehold- ers need to be part of that change. So, on June 12, more than 200 people, 40 percent of whom were parents of Hartford students, gathered for two hours at The Art- ists' Collective to envision together what every school in Hartford should include. Working in small groups of six to 10, and aided by trained facilitators from Leadership Greater Hartford, the gathering also helped prioritize concerns that need to be consid- ered by the district as it moves to close and consolidate schools, a painful but necessary part of the redesign process. The problems facing the school district and the municipal government are daunting. And yet, there are abundant reasons to feel hopeful about the Hartford community. Our leaders are inspired and competent. They are addressing big issues with honesty and courage. Most impor- tantly, they are engag- ing the citizenry as partners. Community conversations and collaborative efforts are happening with increasing frequency and effectiveness. Hartford has moved far beyond the chaos and divisive- ness of the 1990s, and mercifully even further from the civil unrest and riots of the 1960s. While the city still has a long way to go before it claims full civic health, Hartford's citizen participation is a model for other cities. We need to recognize, celebrate and build on this new level of engagement and trust so that we do not return to the dysfunction of the past. Let's continue to be an example of what's right about our democracy and avoid being an example of what's wrong. n Ted Carroll is president of Leadership Greater Hartford and a 40-year resident of Hartford. Ted Carroll ▶ ▶ The problems facing the school district and the municipal government are daunting. And yet, there are abundant reasons to feel hopeful about the Hartford community. Send Us Your Letters The Hartford Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and guest commentaries for our opinion pages. Electronic submissions are preferred and welcome at: editor@HartfordBusiness.com.

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