Vernon Hosting State Regulators For Meeting On Natural Gas Rate Hike

VERNON, CT — The town of Vernon is scheduled to host the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for a public meeting on the proposed Eversource Energy natural gas rate increase.

The statewide meeting is scheduled for March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Vernon Town Hall. Citizen comment will be taken at the information session.

Residents who use Eversource natural gas could be facing a hefty increase in their gas bills in the fall under a rate hike request filed with PURA.

"You call tell PURA what you think of the rate increase at the public hearing," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said.

Eversource has requested a 43 increase for customers in single family homes, and it could be higher during cold-weather months when gas consumption peaks. The increase percentage would be lower for multi-family homes, small businesses and those who only cook with gas, if approved as-is.

Champagne is against the increase.

"People can only endure so much," Champagne said. "Prices from our monopoly, publicly
traded utility providers keep rising and are far in excess of what people can afford. I urge PURA to sharply reduce this outrageous increase request and urge people from Vernon and across Connecticut to join me in opposing it.

"Even if you are not a gas customer, this increase will affect you," Mayor Champagne continued. "Cities and towns will increase property taxes to pay for gas used to heat schools, fire houses and other municipal buildings. This increase affects everyone."

There are three ways area residents can voice an opinion:

• Attend the PURA public hearing on the gas rate increase request on March 17.
• Comment on the rate increase request on the Town of Vernon website, which can be accessed my clicking this link.
• Those without a computer, you can send comments to Mayor’s Office, 14 Park Place, Vernon, CT 06066, and they will be forwarded to PURA.

Eversource has argued that the increase is necessary for infrastructure improvements, including installation of new pipes and equipment "to ensure its distribution system is safe and efficient."

Champagne praised the company for the reasoning, but said Eversource, "is asking too much of customers already struggling with inflation and a dramatic increase in Eversource electricity rates."

Under the rate increase request, gas rates would be:

• 43 percent for customers in single family homes who heat with gas
• 40.5 percent for customers who use natural gas only for cooking
• 40.5 percent for multi-family homes
• 41.9 percent for small commercial/industrial customers
• 28.1 percent medium commercial/industrial customers
• 13.5 percent for large commercial/industrial customers.