Tonight: UI seeks comments on rate increase

United Illuminating is seeking permission to raise distribution rates over the next couple of years.  According to this letter (pdf) from UI president Anthony Vallillo, the rate increase is due in part to a reduction in demand.  While the amount that the company collects depends entirely on customer usage, the cost of maintaining the grid does not vary linearly with demand.  Therefore, they say, UI needs to raise the per-KWh rates to make up the difference (and to make up for an increase in uncollectables, pension plans, and new capital expenditures).  Since United Illuminating's services are heavily regulated by the state, they need permission from the DPUC in order to raise rates.  

The rate increase will affect only the distribution portion of your bill, so while that rate will increase by about 40% over the next two years (26% in 2009 and another 13.1% in 2010), your total bill will increase by about 10%.  If you haven't already replaced all your lights with CFLs, now is a good time.

Come hear the case and share your thoughts on the matter.  Here is the meeting info:

Tuesday, Dec 16th, 6:30 PM

Hall of Records, Room G-2

200 Orange Street

New Haven, CT

Now you see it, now you don't -- CT's solar rebate fund goes broke

CT has run out of money for residential solar subsidies. The rebate program, which offered rebates of up to 30% of the installed cost, may be shuttered until 2010. The solar leasing program, however, will remain in effect, as will a federal tax rebate program of up to 30% of installed cost.

Read more here (Business New Haven)
Solar leasing program here (CCEF)
Federal tax incentives here -- 41 page pdf (SEIA)

Biodiesel gets boost from state grants

Keep an eye out for more opportunities to buy biodiesel in CT. Seven grants of $50k apiece have been awarded to companies around the state to encourage distribution of renewable biodiesel fuel, which can be used for home heating and transportation. Click here for more info.

This Saturday: New London Sustainability Fair

Learn about efforts to reduce energy consumption, increase recycling and support sustainable practices

SATURDAY, NOV. 8, 2008
10:00AM – 1:00pm
New London Science & Technology
Magnet High School
490 Jefferson Avenue, New London

FREE FOR EVERYONE!
Money saving tips for conserving energy
Valuable information for your family

GUEST SPEAKERS 11:30am – 12:00PM
Commissioner Gina McCarthy,
CT Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Light & Power

Sponsored by New London Sustainability Committee

For more info visit http://nlsc.wordpress.com/

CT reduces solar rebate

As federal tax incentives for solar installations lose their $2k cap, the CT Clean Energy Fund is lowering its subsidy.  CCEF says this reduction in benefit is a response to the increased federal aid and is meant to maintain the same percentage of out-of-pocket expense for the applicant. New rebates are shown below.

Read the memo from CCEF (small pdf)

UI seeks to raise rates

UI wants to raise distribution rates -- apparently we are not using enough electricity.  The new rates, they say, will cover $62.5 million in revenues that were previously approved by the DPUC but not collected due to reduced consumption, increased bad debts, and increased expenses to ensure reliability.  The increase to the distribution portion of your bill would be about 34% over two years for typical residential customers.  An average user would see roughly a 8% increase to their total bill.  More details on the rates below.

A public meeting was held in New Haven last night.  Though UI's announcement regarding this meeting was dated Oct 6th, I didn't receive mine until yesterday.  There will be a public meeting Dec 10 at Bridgeport City Hall and another in New Haven on Dec 16th at the Hall of Records, 200 Orange St.

Public, officials rip UI rate hike New Haven Register

Ratepayers blast 20% UI hike New Haven Independent

Rate increases (click for larger image):

***UPDATE 11/3/08: rate request numbers have changed.  I'll update later tonight, but  nothing dramatically different***

Most residential customers use  "R" rates. 

SCG customers to get rebate

Look for a rebate soon on your gas bill. SCG has over-earned $15 million and must return the money to ratepayers. Story here.