AG Tong To 'Thoroughly Scrutinize' Proposed Gas Rate Increases

HARTFORD, CT — Attorney General William Tong said he will "thoroughly scrutinize" rate increases proposed by Southern Connecticut Natural Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, both owned by United Illuminating (UI).

“Connecticut families pay far too much already for basic, necessary utilities and these increases are just one more added expense. I will be thoroughly scrutinizing these applications and actively engaged at every single step of this process to ensure that Connecticut ratepayers don’t pay a penny more than they need to,” Tong said in a statement.

Southern Connecticut Natural Gas serves 206,000 customers in the New Haven and Bridgeport area. They are seeking a $42 million increase, or a total bill increase of about 9%, according to Tong's statement. They last sought a rate increase in 2017.

Connecticut Natural Gas serves 184,000 customers in central Connecticut and Greenwich. They are seeking a $21 million increase, or a total bill increase of 5%. They last sought a rate increase in 2018, according to the statement.

UI is currently fighting state regulators in court to raise its electrical rates. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority recently rejected UI's request for a rate hike.

A UI spokesman said rate increases will go "directly towards investments in our natural gas infrastructure that are essential to our commitment to ensure safe and reliable service, today and into the future,” according to CT Examiner.

The two companies will use the funds to make up for “operating deficiency” in their revenues as they haven't raised rates since 2017 and 2018. The revenue shortfall is due to the companies more quickly replacing gas mains susceptible to leaks and bare steel service lines, according to CT Examiner.