I don’t know about you, but my February electricity bill was just shy of $150 and I have solar panels! I can’t imagine what other people are paying. As you may know, Eversource is looking for a substantial rate hike, but we have an opportunity to oppose it at a public hearing.
According to the Acadia Center, the Eversource petition “includes proposals that emphasize utility control over public accountability, elevate shareholder returns over consumer benefits and establish rate designs that undermine clean energy and consumer control.” Part of the new rate design involves charging residential customers who install solar panels, which will be a disincentive for people to install them. This is not going to help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and build the clean-energy future which is so important to our survival.
Furthermore, Thomas May, the CEO of Eversource, was paid over $1.2 million in 2015 and the remaining four executive vice presidents all made a minimum of $600,000. But that’s just salary. When you add in all the perks — stock awards, deferred compensation, etc. — these five individuals made over $20 million. And they want more of my money? I don’t think so!
I hope you’ll consider joining me and other members of Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (fccpr.us) at the Department of Public Utility hearings at the Greenfield Middle School at 7 p.m. on April 26 to speak out against these immoral rate increases.
David Greenberg
Colrain