By Kathy Kennedy
State Rep., R-119
Kathy Kennedy
As new methods that allow us to work from our homes become more established in our workforce, concerns with heating and utility costs continue to remain a supreme priority in my conversations with my constituents. As a legislator, and more importantly, a homeowner and mother, it is critical for everyone to be financially prepared for a winter where some high summer costs still unfortunately continue to linger.
What can we expect? The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, which works with Connecticut natural gas, utility, water and telecommunications companies, has recently received an application from United Illuminating for potential rate increases directly impacting our utility costs.
In this application, UI outlined a detailed proposal for rate increases based on monthly household income levels and average utility usage. For instance, if your monthly income level is under $2,000 with an average usage of 300 kilowatts per hour, you could likely see a 1-2 percent rate increase overall.
What’s more important is the timing of this proposal. Every four years, PURA sees companies such as UI propose scheduled rate changes based on economic trends. Therefore, although this is a scheduled and expected proposal, the timing of the rate increase application comes when families are still making up for the effects of inflation from the tail end of the summer.
During this election season, it is important to understand and outline our concerns as voters and residents of Connecticut. A proposal for rate changes may be expected and necessary to reevaluate utility costs alongside the impact of inflation. However, it is our job to make sure that PURA finds a more suitable time to consider these increases.
As many of my fellow Republican legislators agree, Connecticut is becoming more and more unaffordable every day. Whether by absentee ballot or at the polls, this election season is calling upon you and me to take a stand and finally see the issue at hand: our state is overwhelmed with unnecessary costs.
Aside from your responsibility as a voter, there are also many other avenues that allow you to impact the fate of these proposals. There are two in-person public comment hearings: one on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Edward Smith Library in Northford; and the other on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the City of New Haven Clerk Hearing Room in New Haven.
For those who are unable to attend in-person, there are two virtual events as well: one on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at noon and the other on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.
As always, please contact me should you have any questions about this issue or concerns on any other topics relating to state government at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 800-842-1423.