State Sen.-Elect Hwang: CT Electricity Costs Need to Be Controlled

A news release from state Sen.-elect Tony Hwang:

State Sen.-Elect Tony Hwang (R-28) released a statement Tuesday in response to Public Utility Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) draft decision on CL&P’s utility rate increase request.

“PURA’s draft decision signals both good and bad news for CL&P customers,” Hwang said. “Unfortunately, it appears consumers will see a rate increase that will, on average, add about $7 per month to their utility bill. But thanks to an outpouring of public opinion and political pressure from state legislators, that increase is not nearly as outrageous as the utility had requested to cover winter storm recovery costs.”

Some of the highlights of the draft decision, which is scheduled to be finalized on Dec. 17, are:

• PURA has approved $130.2 million in rate increases, which is less than the $221.1 million CL&P had requested
• The PURA decision penalizes CL&P’s performance during the 2011 storms by reducing its profit margin from 9.4% to 9.2%, which is 1% lower than what CL&P requested
• The flat charge that all customers must pay will increase from $16 to $19.50, which is $6.00 less than CL&P requested
• The rate increases will result in an average customer spending $7.12 more per month

“While I understand the pressure this cost increase puts on families and businesses, and I remain extremely concerned about the burden ever-increasing energy costs place on growing our state and local economies, I am also encouraged because this regulatory decision highlights why public input is so important — and how, together, our voice is much more powerful,” Hwang said.

“In light of that, I will work to create new methods of gathering constituent insight and I’d also like to remind folks how they can get in touch with me anytime for any reason by visiting my legislative website – www.SenatorHwang.com.”