Credits Sought For Utility Ratepayers: Milford Lawmaker

MILFORD, CT — State Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, is planning to propose legislation following Tuesday’s Tropical Storm Isais.

Maroney said he is calling upon United Illuminating to provide credits to ratepayers and reduce delivery rates on residents’ electric bills. Following Tuesday’s storm, thousands of people are still without power. It has been three full days since power has been knocked out and customers do not deserve to be in the dark especially those who need power for their medication and those who are elderly, Maroney said.

“The lack of quick and effective response is obscene,” said Maroney. “They just want to blame PURA instead of taking responsibility of not being prepared to handle a storm. Proposing legislation to give credit to ratepayers will help reduce delivery costs some are paying that were placed on their bills before Hurricane Irene hit in 2011. Since they have requested rate hikes for vegetative management so something like this wouldn’t happen, where did that money go? The rate payers deserve relief.”

Maroney said he is working with Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) who is the Senate Chairman of the legislature's Energy and Technology Committee to figure out why crews were not prepared ahead of time to bring power back to residents in the state in a more timely manner.