PUC Hearing
Tonight, I went and testified at the Public Utilities Commission to express my strong reservations about National Grid’s request for yet another rate increase. (The hearing in Woonsocket was one week ago, and I was unable to make that due to a prior committment to attend the Boys and Girls Club’s Annual gala.) So I headed down to Warwick tonight. Here is the text of my statement:
My name is Chris Fierro. I am a Rhode Island State Representative representing District 51, which is in the City of Woonsocket. I am here tonight on behalf of my constituents to urge this commission to exercise your power to deny National Grid’s requested rate increase.
We in Woonsocket cannot afford an increased burden. Across our state, wages are stagnant and unemployment is amongst the highest in the nation. At a time when we’re all struggling to get by, please do not give a rate-payer funded bailout to National Grid. We’re all getting by with less–Grid can too.
There were about thirty people in attendance. I was surprised when they clapped at the conclusion of my short remarks.
