To the Editor:
Connecticut residents and businesses have recently experienced one of the largest energy rate hikes the state has seen in years. It is for this reason that I am writing you to as a Commissioner of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). The DPUC has developed a variety of programs and services available to electric ratepayers that will help them understand and address the high increases in energy costs.
Most immediately, the DPUC has partnered with Connecticut Public Television and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to release a television series entitled “Connecticut Energy: On the Line.” This program features five 30-minute documentaries and a town meeting broadcast that will investigate power, price and performance while examining energy issues in Connecticut and unraveling the complexities of the energy marketplace.
Residents will find out how fuel costs are affecting their electric bills, how the electric grid operates and about the challenges of demand response and load control. There will also be information about renewable energy and ways to conserve and use energy more efficiently.
Each episode in the series will discuss a current energy topic in a simple and easily understood format. It will explore how we can, individually and as a whole, reduce our electric usage along with year round energy saving tips. The programs will take a close look at the next generation and what we all need to do moving forward to avoid a future energy crisis.
The next episode, episode 3, premiers Thursday, April 20 at 9 p.m. The remaining airdates are: Episode 4 on May 18 at 9 p.m. and Episode 5 in June 2006 (date to be determined.) There will also be a live town meeting to be aired on April 11 at 8 p.m.
The series is extremely informative and will help Connecticut residents not only manage their energy usage, but also explain the current increase in energy costs. I would urge all Connecticut ratepayers to please tune into CPTV to see this timely series.
For more information about the CPTV series and energy savings tips, visit The Department of Public Utility Control’s Web site at www.WattsNewCt.com.
John W. ‘Jack’ Betkoski III
Commissioner, DPUC
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone (860) 571-6203
The absolute Top story for 2006 is the UI 50% Rate Hike, and the loss of the BIC Corporation.
The most important thing we can do this coming year is educate ourselves on the UI disasterous rate hike. In reading scores of news stories and blogs there appears to be a lot of dissappointment with the way CT’s Citizens are treated these days. Lets face it, you, me, and everyone alike, has been (and continues to be) an awesome opportunity for big business to procure revenue on behalf of themselves and investors. In some cases we are the investors reaping the rewards of the misery big business pushes on others. A case in point is the staggering profits of Exxon Mobil and I assure you as I was cursing the Gas pump there were countless others who invested in Exxon that got their Gas money back in spades.
Unfortunately I do not believe UIL stock is going to show the same level of gratitude I would suggest that anybody and everybody who own UIL stock sell every penny of it and inform their friends and relatives to do the same. This is the best message we can send.
I believe that this rate increase is not because of anything, other than, recouping lost profit from an 18 Million dollar loss on UI’s Xelcom nightmare, and pressure to get the “Filthy Five” back in business burning natural Gas. Gas delivered from a horrific LNG nightmare off the coast of West Haven.
Every one knows that gas burns cleaner hence resolving the coal burning pollution trouble of UI’s “Filthy Five” problem. The massive rate hikes quite coincidentally erase their irresponsible losses on the Xelcom fiasco too perfectly.
The old CEO left pretty much in a hurry and the new guy Mr. Torgensen does not give a hoot about us the consumers. UI has offered nothing to the poorest of the poor so far. At the moment His entire day appears to be consumed battling politicians, arbitrating down UI’s employees, and counting wall street profit. The only time we, the CT consumer, are ever thought of is when we fail to afford our electric and the power is shut off.
As a small business owner I just opened a little company called the ComputerFox right here in Milford Ct on New Haven ave. and I cannot tell you how every penny counts in starting a business. Up front losses are expected but thanks to UI’s 50% rate hike for commercial locations I am quite certain that that my growth plans are being impacted.
The consensus of many of my collegues at the chamber of commerce is that business is becomming more and more challenging in CT. I can only hope that some one sees that the aggregate carelessness of utilities, taxation, insurance, and services directly impact the already micro-wage economy that we have built.
The problem goes full circle in that the same underpaid people just return to your business and force small business to either collect less or nothing. Blumenthal is correct in calling UI’S rate hike a “Tsunami” I see it more as the “final nail in the coffin” of New Haven as well as the modern harbinger furthering the spread of poverty. It would appear that the BIC corporation closed its plant just in time. I fear Sikorski will move out of state next taking dictaphone with it. This newspaper, I believe, will also be impacted as many small businesses who advertise in it will have to chose between fewer ads or power.
The only good news I see in the distant future is that Deregulation may be accelerated and new companies will be offering competitive rates, however Gov. Rell says that she see’s no short term solution in sight due to UI’s contract obligations. For now we may all have to buy more efficient light bulbs and use less power. Keep CT in your prayers.
Rocco J. Frank
ComputerFox
http://www.computerfox.com
I Realized my article above provided no real solutions so here are some additional Easy things you can do.
1: Remove and replace all incandecent bulbs with more energy efficient flourecent types About $1-$3 each.
2: Flip the breaker on your electric water heater at work. Let employees wash hands with cold water.
3: If you use electric heat replace units with a high efficiency heat pump. Fits in most airconditioner places. A heat pump is that unit found in most hotel rooms. It is an airconditioner that can reverse flow to be a heater. Geothermal models are available that are even more efficient. Heat or cool only the rooms you use.
4: Avoid using airconditioning this summer, buy a fan instead.
5: My kids always leave the lights on so I installed timer switches that automatically turn off after an 1Min-hour. They are cheap and worth their weight in gold. These can be used at work too in bathrooms or places where energy needs to be conserved.
6: Plan your vacations in the winter during the highest UI rate charges. Empty your fridge and hit the master breaker so all power to the house is off. Except maybe your alarm system.
7: Do not use electricity or do laundry during peak times. Many people do not know this but if you call your utility you will discover that electricity cost more during business hours than on weekends.
8: Call UI and ask to have a 220 shut off installed. CL&P takes money off peoples bill who have the RF 220 shut off installed. This device saves the electric company money in the event of a brownout and may be worth it to you.
9: Learn and read up on Solar Panels, wind, and home based innovation that you may be willing to try. http://www.youtube.com always has a wealth of video product demonstrations. Search fun keywords like “save on electric bill”, “solar panels” etc. Go out and investigate cost vs. benefit and see if the technology can save you money over the next 3-5 years.
10: Lastly Write your congressman, Blog on the internet, Participate in and organize protests, and encourage everyone you know to sell UIL stock.
11: Use a small lamp in each bathroom instead of those rows of vanity lights. I did this in my home and found it more complimentary and ambient I like it better and it saves a buck.
12: I also found this device to cut back the electrical usage on you homes major appliances. I will follow up with how it works because I orderer 3 of them 1 each for my washer and dryer and one for the fridge. [www.boondee.net]. This is one of many devices so do your research link is only to show that products exist.
If anyone can think of additional ways to cut back the cost of electric add them to this post I am interested in your thoughts.