State of Connecticut

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
STATE CAPITOL
REPRESENTATIVE MITCH BOLINSKY ASSISTANT REPUBLICAN LEADER
ONE HUNDRED SIXTH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
MEMBER
LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING ROOM 4200 AGING COMMITTEE
300 CAPITOL AVENUE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
HARTFORD, CT 06106-1591 EDUCATION COMMITTEE

CAPITOL PHONE: (860) 240-8700

TOLL FREE: 1-800-842-1423
FAX: (860) 240-0207
CELL: (203) 470-2728
Mitch.Bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov

Testimony in OPPOSITION to Eversource Billing Practices and Oversight of Utility

PURA Docket No. 20-01-01 Administrative Proceeding to Review CL&P (dba Eversource)
Over-Recovery of and Absence of Public Process in Increasing Ratepayer Delivery Charges
August 24, 2020 / 10:00AM via Zoom
Good morning distinguished members of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. I want
to thank you for holding this hearing in response to the legislature’s request for a thorough review of
Eversource’s excessive delivery rate increase of July 1, 2020, the lack of adequate notice to affected
parties and, in light the company’s reductions of restorative services, prior to Tropical Storm Isaias.
I also thank PURA for suspending the contested and excessive rate increase, particularly in light of its
timing, during a period of severe economic hardship to many Eversource ratepayers, particularly those
identified as “vulnerable”, in a wage-constrained, pandemic economy.
On behalf of my constituents, I wish to express serious concerns and consistent frustrations of this
public utility’s rate-setting practices, lack of public notice and a corporate culture of arrogance and a
seemingly lack of respect for its ratepayers. When people called Eversource to discuss their own
outrage over the increase, the utility was quick to point fingers at the legislature. When many asked for
credit on their bills to mitigate the devastating effects of the rate increase, they were not only denied
but, often were mocked. I was hung up on.
Despite the PURA order to mitigate the shocking increase by August 7, 2020, Eversource does not
appear to have complied with this order and is now issuing a second month of inflated billing, without
regard or respect for the PURA action. How is that possible?
This was made worse as 82% of Newtown was left in the dark by a weather event that was forecasted,
well documented and should have been considered with a great level of urgency on the part of
Eversource. Instead, they retreated into a three-day, negligent, non-response, as they considered their
response. Out of state crews say idle, awaiting dispatch. Their CEO went underground and their “War
Room” disseminated nothing but bad information. Our First Selectman, like all others in Connecticut,
were left to fend for themselves because of a lack of information and even poorer cooperation.
PURA has stated in a July 31, 2020 letter that it approved an Eversource delivery charge increase July
1, 2020 on June 26, 2020. Please comment in writing on the following:
 What’s PURA’s role in such hearings regarding utility rate changes or service deficiencies?
 Please describe PURA’s makeup and how individuals come to be Commissioners?

www.RepBolinsky.com
  Are PURA Commissioners elected or appointed and, what is their term?
 In the PURA approval meeting of June 26, 2020, which PURA Commissioners were present?
 Did this represent a quorum? Is a quorum required? If not, why?
 Please identify members of the public, legislators, constitutional officers and representatives of
Eversource present.
 At what time did the meeting come to order and subsequently adjourn?
 During the rate increase meeting, at what time did discussions of this topic begin and end?
 Why there was no legislative or public notice given prior to the issuance of bills to ratepayers?
I appreciate PURA’s complete and expedited responses to my questions and anticipate bold actions on
behalf of Eversource’s ratepayers here in Connecticut.
Thank you again for your consideration.

Respectfully,
State Representative Mitch Bolinsky
Serving Newtown & Sandy Hook in the 106th House District