Consumer Alert: Electricity Rate Increase Request

I have seen social media explode over this issue, and you’re right – these proposals are unacceptable. These astronomical rate increase requests come at a time when the cost of living has been skyrocketing out of control. As we look to the 2023 session and an effort to stabilize utility costs for consumers, I will be urging legislative action to secure our energy supply chain, and to ease dated energy regulations that continue to compound higher energy costs. But you don’t want to hear about then, you want answers and corrective measures taken now, and rightly so. However, we the legislature, do not set these costs. It is not a vote. It is not a decision that we make. Right or wrong, rate setting is not our call, but there are ways in which we can improve the energy buying process so consumers aren’t constantly being asked to shell out more to the limited suppliers we have.  

Energy is sold as a commodity. Yes, national and international issues come into play here as well, but Connecticut is seeing a large-scale rate increase due to the lack of suppliers choosing not to do business here. The third-party system was created before I took office to introduce competition in the marketplace. Due to a few bad actors within the state, ALL third-party suppliers have been under tremendous scrutiny, and several have left our borders – simply choosing not to do business here. When these suppliers leave, their customers are left without a supplier and an obvious void in available resources. Another supplier must then compensate for an increased load of power to service the new customers. In this instance, energy must then be purchased immediately, as opposed to strategic procurement of energy. When purchased out of necessity and suppliers continue to disappear, consumers are forced to pay top dollar for their electricity.

The legislature will be convening for Special Session at some point after Thanksgiving to take action on energy relief measures. I will be urging my colleagues to include this subject matter when we meet, in order to address these rate requests. Keep in mind, not all of your representation is sitting idly by. I am in the same boat as each of you and I will fight this fight and take on the monopolies every day if need be. We deserve better than frequently volatile rate increase requests.