Gov. Malloy Appoints Elin Katz Consumer Counsel for State of Connecticut

Elin Swanson Katz, a member of the West Hartford Board of Education, has been appointed as Consumer Counsel for the State of Connecticut effective Oct. 3, according to a release from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office.

“Elin brings a deep breadth of knowledge and experience to this position, and I’m confident that she will be a strong advocate on behalf of utility consumers in our state,” Gov. Malloy said in the release.  “I look forward to having her tackle these complex issues and represent the interests of Connecticut ratepayers before anything else.”

In an official statement issued Wednesday, Katz said, “The Office of Consumer Counsel represents the interests of utility ratepayers in Connecticut first and foremost, and I look forward to being their staunchest advocate in state government. I thank Gov. Malloy for this appointment and look forward to joining the Office.”

The Office of Consumer Counsel advocates on behalf of all utility ratepayers, seeking to ensure just and reasonable rates and reliable service for electric, gas, telephone, and water utility customers, and protections for cable television customers.

Katz is an attorney who currently teaches at Trinity College and is also a professional writing consultant. She previously worked as a lawyer for Day Pitney LLP, specializing in civil and criminal environmental law. According to the release, she has also served as associate counsel fot the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

The Office of the Consumer Counsel is an independent state agency authorized to participate on behalf of consumer interests in all administrative and judicial forums and in any matters in which the interests of consumers with respect to public utility matters may be involved.