Some say CL&P's fixed charge hike is already too high, but now there's a fear other utilities could soon follow.
So Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined the state Consumer Counsel to call for a review of the increase Tuesday in Hartford. He also wants the chair of the federal energy regulatory commission to establish a clear national policy to ensure that electricity rates promote federal energy efficiency goals.
"Conservation and energy efficiency are well-established objectives of federal energy policy. The unwillingness or inability of state regulatory agencies to effectively rein in these fixed-charge increases should prompt federal review," Blumenthal said.
CL&P just raised its electric rates, stating it needs the money to pay for things like utility poles and power lines. Now CL&P customers will pay about $7 more per month for power.
"Utilities, like many other service companies, have a combination of fixed and variable rates which are based on how much it costs the company to operate. We look forward to working with state leaders on this issue and remain committed to making our system more reliable and efficient for our customers," CL&P said in a statement.
The state's Public Utility Regulatory Authority recently voted to approve the rate hike. CL&P said it needs the money to pay for things like power, poles and wires and to make improvements in response to storms.
"We especially reject [Blumenthal's] assertion that we are unwilling and unable to impose fairness. Such hyperbole is unnecessary. To the contrary, we worked hard to apply the facts to the law through a fair, open and patient process," PURA said in response.
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CL&P and United Illuminating now have the first and second highest fixed charge in the region.
Blumenthal said this trend takes control away from consumers and undermines efficiency.
"Our customers have been very clear that reliability is a fundamental requirement and critical to their daily lives. So any impact on the system maintenance could affect reliability in a very direct manner," United Illuminating spokesman Michael A. West, Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.
