The town’s Economic Development Commission chairman contacted state and local legislators last week in opposition to a proposed rate hike of 13.9 percent for the Connecticut Light & Power Co. utility company.
John Szuch said he e-mailed Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other legislators saying there should not be more than a 2 percent increase for CL&P in “this recovering economy.’‘
He said he is opposed to a proposed 19.9 percent increase for Aquarion Water Company. The company should only be given a 2 percent increase as well, he said.
“You should be fighting these insane requests tooth and nail in a bi-partisan approach from what appears to be egregious utility companies,’‘ said Szuch.
Last Monday the state Department of Utility Control, which sets rates for for companies like CL&P, favored giving CL&P a 13.9 percent increase. The company had asked for a 27.5 percent increase. CL&P said it is reviewing the DPUC proposal.
Szuch said that CL&P should find ways to reduce operating expenditures, “and not keep coming back to the public crying we need more money.’‘
Szuch said that for 16 years, his electric rates have gone up in Seymour, no matter how much he and his family tried to conserve electricity. He said that although he used less electricity, he still paid the same or more due to the rate increases.
Former Seymour Board of Finance member Trisha A. Danka also sent off e-mails this week to local and state legislators. She said while companies are given increased revenues, people are having a hard time due to poor economic times.
“So, we middle class folk (and others) continue to have to make do with what we have, which becomes smaller and smaller by the day, while big business cries they’re not making enough,’‘ said Danka.
Danka said the utility is often not “reliable, consistant,’‘ or even helpful when the power goes out.
State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, said she received both e-mails. She agrees that costs for electricity should not increase.
“We will need to take a long look at this and review this increase. We have to make sure that the DPUC is not just handing out money,’‘ said Conroy. “We’re all trying to cut costs.”
