Editorial: Are Utilities a Target for New Higher Costs?

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As new methods that allow us to work from our homes become more established in our workforce, concerns with heating and utility costs continue to remain a supreme priority in my conversations with my constituents. As a legislator, and more importantly, a homeowner and mother, it is critical for everyone to be financially prepared for a winter where some high summer costs still unfortunately continue to linger.

So, what can we expect? The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), which works with CT natural gas, utility, water, and telecommunications companies, has recently received an application from United Illuminating (UI) for potential rate increases directly impacting our utility costs.

In this application, UI outlined a detailed proposal for rate increases based on monthly household income levels and average utility usage. For instance, if your monthly income level is under $2,000 with an average usage of 300 kilowatts per hour (kWh), you could likely see a 1-2% rate increase overall.

What’s more important to note is the timing of this proposal. Every four years, PURA sees companies, such as UI, propose scheduled rate changes based on economic trends. Therefore, although this is a scheduled and expected proposal, the timing of the rate increase application comes when families are still making up for the effects of inflation from the tail-end of the summer.

During this election season, it is important to understand and outline our concerns as voters and residents of Connecticut. A proposal for rate changes may be expected and necessary to reevaluate utility costs alongside the impact of inflation, however it is our job to make sure that PURA finds a more suitable time to consider these increases.

As many of my fellow Republican legislators agree, Connecticut is becoming more and more unaffordable every day. Whether by absentee ballot or at the polls, this election season is calling upon you and me to take a stand and finally see the issue at hand: our state is overwhelmed with unnecessary costs.

Aside from your responsibility as a voter, there are also many other avenues that allow us to impact the fate of these proposals. There are two “in-person” public comment hearings: one on Wednesday, October 19, at 5:30pm at the Edward Smith Library in Northford, CT, and the other on Tuesday, November 29, at 5:30pm at the City of New Haven Clerk Hearing Room in New Haven.

For those who are unable to attend in-person, there are two virtual events as well: one on Tuesday, December 13, at 12:00pm and the other on Thursday, December 15, at 7:00pm.

As always, please contact me should you have any questions about this issue or concerns on any other topics relating to state government atKathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 800-842-1423.