Matt Blumenthal

I am deeply disappointed the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) did not reconsider the recent utility rate increase that is negatively affecting millions of families across Connecticut. You can read my letter to PURA here or below. Numerous constituents have contacted me to convey their alarm about these increases and their effect on household budgets, particularly those on fixed incomes. The decision to allow Eversource and United Illuminating to recover certain costs over 10 months, rather than a longer amortization period, is contributing significantly to the rate shock they are currently experiencing.

These rate hikes place an undue burden on Connecticut residents, many of whom are already facing financial hardships. The decision not to reconsider the rate hikes disregards ratepayers’ very real and pressing concerns. The impact of these rate hikes extends far beyond individual households. It could have significant ramifications for Connecticut businesses, as well as the overall economic well-being of our state.

Further, they are deeply unfair. As Chairman Marissa Gillett noted in her most recent dissenting vote on rate increases, “an amortization period of between 22 and 36 months would have been more appropriate given the anomalous series of events that led us to [the current situation.]” As she noted in her dissent to the original decision, “it is incumbent on PURA … that we leverage all of the tools at our disposal to mitigate and smooth rate shock for all of our ratepayers. Today’s decision fails to do so.” I agree completely.

I urge PURA to reevaluate its position and give due consideration to the overwhelming negative impact of these rate hikes. It is essential that the regulatory authority acts in the best interests of the public and ensures that utility costs remain reasonable and fair for all consumers.

Especially considering this vote, it is prudent and appropriate to reopen the Rate Adjustment Mechanism proceeding, reconsider the hearing, issue new interrogatories, and implement the Chair’s opinion on amortization. I strongly urge it to do so.

Connecticut utilities regulation is insufficiently protective of our ratepayers. We have made some progress through the 2020 Take Back Our Grid Act, as well as this year’s legislation strengthening the oversight of the Siting Council over utility projects reimbursed by ratepayers, which I was proud to co-author. But despite PURA’s denial of several rate hikes, Connecticut ratepayers still pay the second-highest electricity rates in the continental United States. This is unjustified and unacceptable.

We must significantly strengthen our performance-based ratemaking regime and take further measures to protect ratepayers against unwarranted or insufficiently substantiated rate hikes. Additionally, PURA should also be fully staffed with members who will appropriately weigh the Authority’s duty to protect ratepayers.