Westporters Invited to Attend PURA Hearing as Aquarion Attempts to Change Rates

Press Release

The Why and How of Setting Utility Rates. Westport Officials have been notified that Aquarion Water Company recently-filed a rate case before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).  The proceeding, PURA Docket No. 22-07-01, Application of Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut to Amend its Rate Schedule, was initiated on July 1, 2022 when Aquarion Water filed a Notice of Intent, and continues with the receipt of the company’s formal application, which was filed on August 29, 2022. 

A regulated utility may recover costs incurred to provide safe, reliable service plus a reasonable rate of return. Such utilities may file an application with PURA with proposed amended distribution rates, which initiates a rate case.  PURA has 200 days to complete a water utility rate case, whereby the final step includes a decision that will be voted on by the three PURA commissioners. Parties in the rate case include the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), along with other interested parties that may include municipalities and organizations representing specific classes of customers.  

In the Notice of Public Comment Hearings, PURA has scheduled three public comment hearings in this proceeding:

1. Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 5:30PM IN-PERSON at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT  06880 (directions).

2. Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 5:30PM VIRTUAL at https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIocuurpjgtHtbCjCnSFInEZLTVlz3tdTgS

3. Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 7:00PM VIRTUAL at https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkdO6rrDMvG92NDAf7EywU3W7at1SGMZ_O

PURA strongly encourages public participation and public comment in the record of this proceeding, as all PURA decisions are based only on what is included as part of the formal record.  Another way to submit comments is to email PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov with “Docket No. 22-07-01 Comments” in the subject line.  Please note that oral and written comments both hold the same weight and will become part of the official record, reviewed and considered. Please do not send comments to town officials. 

Please take a few minutes to review the Rate Case Information page  on PURA’s website.  You’ll find a number of helpful explainer and tutorial videos on specifics of a rate case proceeding, covering the following topics:

∙         An Overview of Rate Cases and Why it Matters to You

∙         Parties in a Rate Case

∙         Which Rates are Set During a Rate Case and How is My Electric Bill Affected?

∙         Ways to Get Involved in a Rate Case 

∙         EOE's Role in a Rate Case

∙         Review of Storm Costs in a Rate Case

∙         Review of Utility Depreciation Rates in a Rate Case

∙         Allowed Rate of Return

∙         Revenue Requirement: What is it and how do we calculate one?

∙         Overview: Take Back Our Grid Act (HB 7006)

∙         Take Back Our Grid Act: Rate Changes and Performance-Based Regulation

∙         Distribution Integrity Management

NOTE: This is a PURA public hearing.  Please send any comments directly to PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov with “Docket No. 22-07-01 Comments” in the subject line.