Westport, CT - First Selectman Jim Marpe has provided testimony to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for its Public Hearing related to Eversource’s rate increase. In addition, Mr. Marpe has filed a Motion for Participant Status on behalf of the Town of Westport for the PURA hearing to be scheduled related to Eversource’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias. Attached are the filed testimony on the Eversource rate increase hearing and the Motion for Participant Status and Motion for Sanctions regarding Eversource’s preparation and response to the storm. While separate topics, both PURA hearings are expected to include discussion on Eversource’s inadequate response to the storm, particularly in Westport. 

The first PURA hearing will take place today, August 24, and will address Eversource’s rate increase (Docket 20-01-01 Proceeding to Review the Connecticut Light and Power Company’s Standard Service and Supplier of Last Resort Service 2020 Procurement Results and Rates). The rate increase that went into effect this summer is being rolled back to allow for a more thorough review and reconsideration due to the impact of COVID-19 on energy usage.

Members of the public can take action regarding rates and charges by filing their own statements to PURA. Written comments can be submitted to PURA by emailing the comments to pura.executivesecretary@ct.gov and noting “Docket No. 20-01-01 Comments” in the subject line.  PURA has extended its comment period for this hearing and will keep the record open, for purposes of receiving written comments, until 11:59PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

The second hearing, which is not yet scheduled, is an oversight hearing of Eversource and United Illuminating’s response to Storm Isaias (Docket 20-08-03 PURA Investigation into Electric Distribution Company’s Preparation and Response to Tropical Storm Isaias). Testimony for the storm response hearing is forthcoming and will detail our town’s specific experiences with Eversource during Tropical Storm Isaias.

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