UI Seeks Another Rate Increase; State Attorney General Opposes

CONNECTICUT — Power company United Illuminating reportedly has asked state regulators for another rate increase, just months after receiving approval for one.

The proposed increase would not take effect until 2025, but could add as much as another $30 to a residential utility bill, the Connecticut Post reported.

In a letter to state regulators, UI President Frank Reynolds wrote that the increase is "critically needed" to help pay for more than 350 infrastructure projects in the region.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said that United Illuminating is seeking $105 million in new revenues, which would increase bills by 9.3 percent overall if approved. The distribution rate would rise by 34 percent, he added.

In August, regulators approved a rate increase for UI of 0.4592 cents per kilowatt hour, which increased monthly bills by a few dollars per month.

"This revenue grab is a tone-deaf slap in the face to Connecticut families," Tong wrote in a statement. "Electric rates are through the roof right now and consumers cannot afford to pay more. United Illuminating asked for and received a revenue increase just last year. They did not get everything they asked for because their absurd $130.7 million application was exorbitant and unsupported by facts and evidence. They’ve been stomping their feet ever since."

The Post reports that the average UI customer in Fairfield, Bridgeport and other 15 communities that the utility company serves pays about $275 per month for 750 kilowatt hours of usage.

In a letter to constituents, state Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28th), who represents some of UI's territory, said he and other state leaders will fight against the proposed increase.

"Since February, my Republican colleagues and I have been warning about rising electricity costs this year," Hwang wrote. "Now, the Connecticut rate-payer has faced the burden. We have requested and petitioned the Governor and State Legislature to enter a special session to find immediate and long term solutions towards the rising energy costs in this state."

Tong added, "This is yet another bad faith maneuver and an insult to all the Connecticut families struggling right now to keep their lights on and pay these skyrocketing bills. I am going to scrutinize every penny of this pending application and will fight at every step of this process on behalf of Connecticut families and businesses."

Read the Connecticut Post story.