by Paula Panzarella
On May 25, the same day that United Illuminating announced it intends to buy three gas companies for $885 million, Gov. Rell vetoed S.B. 493, the energy legislation that would have helped lower electric rates, promote renewable energy and call for corporate accountability of the electric companies.
It’s imperative that the politicians call for a special session and override Gov. Rell’s veto. Please call your representative and senator (see page 3). If you don’t know who they are, go to http://votesmart.org and enter in your zip code on the upper left portion of the screen.
Find out how they voted on S.B. 493 here: http://tiny.cc/046qr and here: http://tiny.cc/e9tn9. Thank them if they voted in favor, and demand they work to override the veto. If they didn’t vote for the bill, tell them you expect them to do right by Connecticut consumers and businesses and vote now for an override. Remind them that the Energy and Technology Committee worked on the legislation since mid-March, and held public hearings on the issues presented in S.B. 493 (at that time, the bills were named H.R. 5505, H.R. 5507, H.R. 5508, and S.B. 463).
Tell Gov. Rell that by vetoing S.B. 493 she betrayed the people and the businesses of Connecticut. Her phone number is 1-800-406-1527. Her e-mail is Governor.Rell@ct.gov.
United Illuminating has shown itself to be a dishonorable corporation, and its acquisition and control of gas companies will further impoverish Connecticut residents and businesses. Honest antitrust legislation should deny their request, but that may be determined by how much people are willing to take on this struggle. Fight the Hike’s next meeting is Thursday, June 17. For details, call (203) 562-2798.
