Hearings set for rate increase request

0
79
Joseph Crisco
Joseph Crisco

HARTFORD — State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco (D-17) voiced opposition to Connecticut Light & Power’s proposed $232 million electric rate hike last week.

The state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) will conduct public hearings, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at PURA headquarters in New Britain, Aug. 28 in Stamford and Sept. 3 in New London on CL&P’s request.

“I’ve got about 16,000 households in Bethany, Naugatuck and Beacon Falls and an untold number of businesses in my district that are going to be hit very hard by this unprecedented and indefensible rate increase. I encourage everyone to attend one of these public hearings or write PURA and the Office of Consumer Counsel to express their opposition,” Crisco said in a press release. “Looking to hike the fixed portion of a consumer’s bill is not the way to go, especially when people are trying to save electricity to help the environment and their pocketbooks.”

According to the state Office of Consumer Counsel, on June 9 CL&P submitted an application for a distribution rate increase of $231.8 million. CL&P’s proposed $231.8 million rate increase includes pre-approved costs of $89.5 million for storm cost recovery and $25.3 million for system resiliency costs, the release stated.

The OCC has actively reviewed the CL&P application and has recommended adjustments that would reduce CL&P’s proposed rate increase from $231.8 million to $122.6 million. The OCC notes that one of the most significant aspects of the rate application for residential customers is CL&P’s proposed increase of the fixed monthly customer charge from $16 to $25.50. The OCC has filed testimony in opposition to CL&P’s rate change and instead proposes to decrease the fixed monthly customer charge from $16 per month to $11.68 per month, the release stated.

Crisco encouraged residents to contact OCC and PURA at occ.info@ct.gov or PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov.