Rate Hike Scheme Needs to be Repealed

Households in Connecticut are getting a shock as they open their latest electricity bills, thanks to a sketchy agreement between Hartford politicians and the big shots at Eversource and UI.

Connecticut households already pay the highest average electricity bills of any state in the USA according to the US Energy Information Administration. Nevertheless, beginning in July, their average electric bill went even higher, thanks to the “Public Benefits Charge”.

Wait, rates are going to go higher because of “Public Benefits”? That doesn’t appear to make sense, does it? Only in Connecticut!

The public benefits charge is a part of our electricity bill that is mandated by the state legislature. It covers 16 different items that are mandated by the politicians in Hartford. It’s a reckless, pie-in-the-sky wish list from the same crowd who want to ban gas-powered vehicles in our state, and coerce us into buying unaffordable, and for most of us, impractical electric cars.

That’s right. As if electricity isn’t expensive enough here in Connecticut. There are 16 different politically mandated charges in the public benefits part of our electric bill! Did anyone consult you and your family to find out if you were okay with this involuntary rip-off?

Many families and small businesses are struggling in this economy. The cost of living is sky-high. Prices and fees are up on just about everything we need and use. Necessities of life – including electricity – are way up. While the Robber Barons in the utility board rooms line their pockets, politicians at the state capitol tell us to freeze in the winter and sweat in the summer.

Some of those 16 extra costs are the subsidy you must pay for people who don’t pay their utility bills. It also includes a charge related to a deal struck by the politicians and the owners of the Millstone electric plant here in Connecticut to guarantee they make an excessive mandated profit generating electricity. It also includes the hidden costs of various renewable energy programs – all of which are dubious. The shareholders are protected by law while the ratepayers get stuck holding the bag. This sweetheart deal between Connecticut legislators and the electric monopoly needs to be fully exposed and the legal scheme repealed. The details of this ratepayer sell-out cannot stand up to public scrutiny, which is why we must shine a bright light on this dirty deal.

Connecticut doesn’t have to be the state ranked #1 for the highest electric bills of all 50 states. Let’s start by cutting back these politically driven “public benefits” charges. As State Senator, I will demand a public hearing to investigate each and every “public benefits charge” to see what they are and whom they are benefiting – and expose the people who made the backroom deals. We can’t change what’s happening at the state capitol unless we change the people we send there. It’s time for ratepayers to become “electrified”, stand up for themselves, and send the political stooges packing in November.

Elain Cariati is the Republican candidate for State Senator in the 13th District, which includes Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield and Middletown