Connecticut lawmakers are finally close to a deal on lowering residents' electric bills, after months of closed-door talks between Republicans and Democrats. A vote could come on Monday.

The average customer will likely save about $15 per month, negotiators said.

That may not sound like a lot, but key legislators said it’s an important start.

People don’t see eye-to-eye on much these days, but they do agree that electric bills are too high.

“Wow, horrendous,” said Giuseppe Conte, of Norwalk. “It’s outrageous.”

Now, lawmakers in Hartford have a plan to get rates down, but they only have days to pass it. And a dispute over changes to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority threatens to derail the plan.

“Electrical rates will need to be addressed,” state Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield). “We can’t go back to our districts and do nothing.”

The relief plan targets the Public Benefits Charge on your bill, which jumped dramatically last summer, but has since come down.

According to lawmakers involved in the negotiations, the legislation would cut about $100 million in Public Benefits expenses – including $70 million from renewable energy credits, $15 million in subsidies for electric vehicle chargers and at least $10 million in payments to other power providers.

“They're going to cut it for $15 for customers? I think they can do better than that,” Conte said.

But Ted Coppola, formerly of Norwalk, said, "Saving anything is better than nothing.”

Beyond the cuts, another $100 million would be shifted into state borrowing. Gov. Ned Lamont said it’s just a cost shift.

“It doesn’t make a big difference if you're saying rather than having ratepayers pay it, we'll have bondholders pay it,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “But it seems to make people – give them a sense that we’re going to bring down the Public Benefits Charge on the ratepayers’ bill a little bit, so I’m willing to do that.”

Longer term, lawmakers want to expand smart meters, nuclear power and hydroelectric supply – as well as reform how Connecticut buys electricity on the wholesale market. But those savings could take years to realize.

With the clock winding down on the legislative session, the energy proposal could already be in trouble.

If it gives Marissa Gillett, the state’s controversial utility regulator, more power, House Republicans could tank the bill.

“Yes, I would block that bill,” said House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford). “Because it is not good for the state of Connecticut to be in lawsuits over a chairman that is making decisions in the dark of night that nobody knows about.”

Republicans hold a lot of leverage. They can filibuster controversial bills and run out the clock in the session’s final days.

Lawmakers still have to pass a state budget, too. That vote could happen as early as Monday.