Angry Connecticut residents rallied on Oct. 27 in New Haven against further price gouging by the United Illuminating electricity company.
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Connecticut residents already pay the highest electricity rates in the continental U.S. A rate hike request was rejected by the DPUC in July 2008, but UI is back for more.
Following the rally, protesters marched to an overflowing public hearing room where the CEO and President of UI attempted to explain why the company needed the rate increase. UI made $47.9 million in profits last year and its CEO and President each pocketed nearly $2 million in salary and bonuses. UI attempted to suppress dissent by mailing the hearing notice just two days before the hearing date, but word got out.
During the three-hour-long hearing, local residents blasted the company and the executives present and explained the dire circumstances faced by many working class people, including the elderly and disabled. Residents described having to choose between paying the electric bill and having money for food.
Pointing at the UI president, Dorothy Johnson did not hold back: “He says he wants to keep his operation going at UI. I’d like to keep my operation going at home! I wanna eat! I have a stomach! I wanna eat!”
The protest was organized by Fight the Hike, a local group that has been fighting and organizing against electricity rate hikes for several years. Activists from the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) attended the rally and hearing and have provided support over the years to the work of Fight the Hike. More rallies are planned before the DPUC issues its ruling in several months.
