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Ellington State Representative Round-up
Offering some insight on proposed utility rate hike HARTFORD — Constituents have reached out regarding Eversource’s announcement seeking a 19% rate increase. Some constituents Jaime Foster noted they're on fixed incomes, while others expressed frustration with the ever-rising cost of electricity. As House vice-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, I want to hear from you, but I urge you to also submit comments to the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURA). Written comments can be submitted to PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov. You can use the docket number (if known) or use a subject line like “Eversource Rate Case Comments, Effective 7/1/24.” A PURA YouTube video includes ways to get involved in a rate case (https://bit.ly/49smuBu). Twice a year, energy utilities seek rate changes from PURA, effective Jan. 1 and July 1. The most recent filing by Eversource is for 19%, equating to
approximately $38 a month on customer bills. Both Eversource and United Illuminating have filed requests — both citing COVID-19 era shut-off protection policies contributed to significant arrearages being accrued. There is the ability to recoup uncovered costs, including the one listed above, as well as Millstone's above-market-rate electricity (Eversource no longer generates power), which allows Eversource to recoup those costs. Last year, my colleagues and I — unanimously in both chambers — adopted policy that has given PURA more tools to scrutinize rate requests. We passed SB 7 — a landmark bill that expanded the authority that PURA has to deny rate cases. We’ve seen PURA’s efficacy in denying rate increases with water companies so far, but the electric distribution companies are next. SB 7 limits the ability of utility companies to recoup costs from ratepayers such as rate cases, dues and lobbying expenses. It also gives PURA the ability to call these companies into rate proceedings and
Rep. Jamie Foster at an Energy and Technology Committee meeting in 2023. Submitted photo
require them to lower rates or defend in front of PURA, and therefore transparently, more often than they historically have. Some of these utility companies haven’t been before PURA in a very long time, despite rising rates. While we anticipate enactment of SB 7 will keep costs from going up quite as much as they may have otherwise, some measures are beyond the legislature’s control. Utility companies have the authority to recoup unrecovered costs, such as unpaid energy bills; however, if you believe this is not right, you should testify before PURA. The utility companies will be bringing their staff, allies,
and assets to defend rate increases. Because of a bill I introduced, that became part of SB 7 and the hard work of my colleagues in leadership, Rep. Steinberg, Sen. Neeleman, Sen. Fazio, and Rep. Buckbee, for the first time, they won't pass those costs onto you. That’s a start, but we still need you and everyone impacted to testify if we want to make a difference collectively. Last year, we created a video on energy deregulation. You can watch it on YouTube (https://bit.ly/3I5l0Rl). As always, please contact my office with any concerns you have. I can be reached at 860-240-8585 or jaime.foster@cga.ct.gov
10 North Central News February 2024
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