Electricity Rate Hearings – Update

Energy and Technology Committee Hearing August 27

The legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee is holding an informational hearing tomorrow, Thursday, August 27^th, regarding Eversource and United Illuminating’s storm management responses, delivery charges, initiatives to improve the grid and more.

The hearing agenda, with a list of invited speakers, is available here.

While the public may submit written testimony, the hearing will not be open for oral comments except from the members of the Energy and Technology Committee.

If you would like to send written testimony

• Anyone wishing to submit written testimony may do so by emailing it to: ETtestimony@cga.ct.gov or via mail to: Energy and Technology Committee Legislative Office Building, Room 3900, Hartford, CT 06106.

CT-N will provide coverage of the hearing.

August 24th PURA Hearing Roundup

Earlier this week, PURA held an evidentiary hearing on docket 20-01-01 concerning the suspended July rate increases for Eversource. I testified at the hearing and thanked PURA for suspending Eversource’s rate increases and for its  re-examination into  the causes of such dramatic increases in ratepayers electric bills. I also made comments during the hearing countering misleading  informations that Millstone is largely responsible for the rate increases.

The majority of the hearing focused on questions from PURA, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Consumer Counsel requesting evidentiary data on various rate components. Prior to this hearing, Eversource submitted written answers to some questions.

Some of the discussions included:

• Transmission and distribution infrastructure;
• Peak loads projections;
• Millstone cost projections;
• Rate setting processes in other states;
• Rate transparency in Eversource’s billings to customers; and
• Usage loads of residential, commercial and industrial users and whether cost recoveries unfairly burden residential customers

Upcoming PURA Hearing Schedule – October

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) released a schedule of proceedings for docket 20-08-03 regarding Eversource and United Illuminating’s storm responses.

Three consecutive public hearings have been tentatively scheduled from October 21^st through October 23^rd.

Details on the public hearings are not yet finalized, however, PURA is currently accepting public comment at pura.information@ct.gov.

At this time, PURA isn’t scheduled to issue a final decision until April 28, 2021, following a series of evidentiary hearings, briefings and oral arguments.