Politics & Government
Public Can Protest Aquarion's Proposed Rate Hikes Tuesday
The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulator Authority will conduct the hearing Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Fairfield's Sullivan Independence Hall, located at 725 Old Post Road.
Aquarion customers can protest the water company's proposed 18.3 percent rate hike for residential usage at a public hearing Tuesday in Fairfield.
The company has put forward a plan to increase rates over the next three years, including that first hike, plus an 18.4 percent bump next year for public authority and commercial water usage, and a 9 percent increase for public fire water use. The plan calls for 1.8 and 1.9 percent increases in the second and third years, respectively.
The state's Public Utilities Regulator Authority (PURA) is conducting the public hearing, slated for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first-floor conference room at Fairfield's Sullivan Independence Hall (725 Old Post Road). Residents are encouraged to attend the hearing to voice their objections and concerns regarding the rate increase.
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Aquarion notified PURA of the proposed increases in February. PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication companies.
The rate increase is needed to offset $143 million in water utility infrastructure improvements, according to Aquarion's website.
Find out what's happening in Westportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A final decision on the proposed rate hike is expected to be made in August. If passed, Westport residents, the town, fire department, and businesses would incur the costs starting in September.
Any Connecticut resident served by Aquarion can attend to voice his or her opinions. A transcriptionist will record statements and provide them to the utility company.
There are three more hearings scheduled. Any resident who cannot make Fairfield's hearing may attend one of the following:
- Monday, June 24, at Mystic Middle School at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 25, at Torrington City Hall at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, July 8, at Simsbury Senior Center at 6:30 p.m.
Or residents may send a statement as soon as possible to PURA.executivesecretary@ct.gov
For more information on the rate increases, see Aquarion's website.
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