On the heels of denouncing National Grid's electric rate increase request, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has filed a motion to intervene with full-party status in the hearing before the PUC to protest the proposed increase. The PUC hearing is scheduled for December 16, 2014.
The proposed rates by National Grid are higher than current rates and last winter's rates. It is expected that the bill of a "typical" residential customer will increase $22.63 per month or 26.1% over the present Standard Offer rate and 23.6% over the Standard Offer rate in effect for the same customer as of January 1, 2014.
"Every single Rhode Island family and business will be financially impacted by this rate increase should it be approved by the PUC. Rubber stamping the request under the auspices of 'there's nothing we can do' or 'the new normal' is not satisfactory. The PUC has an obligation to all ratepayers to scrutinize all requests for rate increases and to ensure they are consistent with law, regulatory practice and in the public interest," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "I don't know too many families or businesses that would consider a 26 percent increase in their best interest."