Connecticut Light and Power customers are facing another proposed rate hike, and some say they don't know how they'll be able to afford it.
Concerned customers aired their grievances at a meeting in East Hartford on Monday, the same day the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority approved an unrelated generation fee increase for CL&P and United Illuminating.
"This is an increase of almost 60 percent on this flat rate. That’s a tremendous burden for anyone," said Terri Eickel, executive director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network.
The proposed rate hike would increase the flat customer fee from $16 to $25 on the average homeowner's monthly bill. It would also spike CL&P's delivery fee by 5.9 percent beginning Dec. 1, 2014.
"We certainly sympathize with customers and their own certain set of circumstances that they’re all dealing with, and we just remind them that this is really about making the necessary targeted investments into the system," said CL&P spokesperson Tricia Modifica.
Representatives for CL&P said the increases will pay for system upgrades like stronger utility poles, wires and transformers.
"Over time, you need to make investments into this large complex system so we can make sure it does deliver that reliable power for our customers," explained Modifica.
However, the labor, religious and environmental groups who met Monday night said they plan to push PURA to reject CL&P’s proposal.
"When you have the fixed rate, no matter what you do, no matter how much you save, that fixed rate portion of the bill remains the same, so it’s contrary to state policy," said John Harrity, president of the CT State Council of Machinists.
Harrity also said it runs contrary to energy efficiency and conservation because the flat fee would be imposed no matter your energy consumption.
