People who use Eversource natural gas to heat their homes face a historic increase in their gas bills later this year under a rate hike request filed with the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
You call tell PURA what you think of the rate increase at a public hearing on Monday, March 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Vernon Town Hall, third floor, 14 Park Place, in the Rockville section of town.
The requested increase is 43 percent for customers in single family homes who heat with gas, but could be significantly higher during the cold-weather months when gas consumption peaks.
“People can only endure so much,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “Prices from our monopoly, publicly-traded utility providers keep rising and are far in excess of what people can afford. I urge PURA to sharply reduce this outrageous increase request and urge people from Vernon and across Connecticut to join me in opposing it.”
“Even if you are not a gas customer, this increase will affect you,” Mayor Champagne continued. “Cities and towns will increase property taxes to pay for gas used to heat schools, fire houses and other municipal buildings. This increase affects everyone.”
There are three ways you can voice your opinion.
• You can attend a PURA public hearing on the gas rate increase request on Monday, March 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the third floor council chambers at Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place, Vernon.
• You can comment on the rate increase request on the Town of Vernon website. All Connecticut residents are invited to comment. Click this link: https://www.vernon-ct.gov/comment
• If you do not have a computer, you can send comments to Mayor’s Office, 14 Park Place, Vernon, CT 06066, and we will forward them to PURA.
Eversource says the increase is necessary for infrastructure improvements, including installation of new pipes and equipment to ensure its distribution system is safe and efficient.
Mayor Champagne praised the company for such efforts, but said Eversource is asking too much of customers already struggling with inflation and a dramatic increase in Eversource electricity rates.
Under the rate increase request, gas rates would be:
• 43 percent for customers in single family homes who heat with gas.
• 40.5 percent for customers who use natural gas only for cooking.
• 40.5 percent for multifamily homes.
• 41.9 percent for small commercial/industrial customers.
• 28.1 percent medium commercial/industrial customers.
• 13.5 percent for large commercial/industrial customers.