Senator to call on feds to examine 'Fixed Fees' for electric service

AP: Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review CL&P and UI's fixed charge hike and to establish a clear national policy to ensure that electric rates promote federal energy efficiency goals.

Connecticut regulators recently gave a rate hike final approval. CL&P's service charge will increase from $16 to just over $19 per month. Overall, the average customer will see a $7.12 increase....

In the past, fixed charges have been $5 to $10 per month.

Blumenthal said the charges are increasing nationwide....

Idaho Power is increasing its fixed charge from $5 to $20. In Hawaii, its power company is trying to get a $55 fixed monthly charge, which is double its current fee.

read ... Fixed Fee Hikes

Blumenthal seeks federal review of CL&P charges

AP: U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called on federal energy regulators Tuesday to review what he calls a “humongous” increase in the fixed residential charge imposed by Connecticut’s largest electric utility, Connecticut Light & Power.

“The unwillingness or inability of state regulatory agencies to effectively reign in these fixed charged increases should prompt federal review or action, if necessary,” said the Connecticut Democrat, who appeared at a news conference with State Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz at the Legislative Office Building.

Blumenthal is the latest public official in Connecticut to blast a recent decision by state regulators allowing CL&P to increase its monthly charge from $16 to $19.25. CL&P originally sought a $25.50 charge. Some state legislators recently announced they hope to pass legislation in the new session that imposes a cap on such charges.

“The fixed rate increase is humongous and horrendous. It’s part of a nationwide trend,” said Blumenthal, who asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman, in a letter sent Tuesday, to review both CL&P’s fixed rate charge as well as those imposed by other utilities across the country.

Blumenthal acknowledges it’s questionable whether FERC has the authority to overturn a decision already made by Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, but he said a “clear and urgent need” exists for FERC to establish policy to ensure energy conservation is promoted.

read ... Blumenthal seeks federal review of CL&P charges

NBC: Sen. Blumenthal Calls for Review of CL&P Fixed Charge Hike