The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decided
to not grant National Grid the nearly 25% price increase it asked for, but
instead approved a 14% increase that will allow National Grid to come back in
the Summer to ask for more money.
The decision was met with anger and outrage
by the over one hundred people who
packed the small meeting room to oppose the increase.
The PUC Commissioners did their best to ignore the comments, but
occasionally, out of exasperation, could not help themselves.
“We had a hearing last week,”
said Commissioner DeSimone.
“Public comment has been
done,” said Commissioner Curran.
“A dog and pony show!” replied an angry protester.
Still, the PUC board persevered, despite showing obvious signs
of discomfort and annoyance (that pale to insignificance when matched against
the discomfort and annoyance people will feel when these rate hikes cause their
families to lose their homes, children and elderly to miss meals and all of us
to lower our standard of living to accommodate National Grid profits.)
With
affected dispassion the board revealed that they do not have the power to tell
National Grid “no,” confirming the crowd’s suspicions that the board is little
more than a rubber stamp for whatever rates National Grid seeks to impose.
It was also revealed by the board that the PUC must always
prioritize the financial health of National Grid, whereas the economic impacts
of rate increases on Rhode Island residents are not factored.
Early on the
issue was presented as being about pipeline capacity, an obvious red herring given
that no increase in pipeline capacity could have an effect on electric rates
for at least eight years, and the pipeline expansion requested is for exporting
natural gas, not for use in Rhode Island.
Upon passage of the increase, the crowd broke into chants of
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” and “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Corporate Greed has Got to Go!”
Nearby I heard a man say to his friend, “The state is only a mechanism for
managing capital.”
Then the PUC discussed the impact this rate increase will have
on seasonal businesses, which they then proceeded to do everything in their
power to mitigate. “Seasonal businesses are one of the backbones or Rhode
island’s economy,” said Commissioner DeSimone.
‘What about people?” asked
someone from the crowd. The commissioners ignored the question and the crowd.
Someone else asked, “We’re not even an issue any more, are we?”
It was clear that the meeting was, for all intents and purposes,
over. National Grid got the rate increase they wanted said protesters, (not the
one they asked for, 25%, but the one they wanted, 14%) and the people,
especially those who are most economically vulnerable, lost.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
Click
here to see Steve’s article on Rhode Island’s Future where you can
also see the video footage he shot of the meeting.
Steve Ahlquist is a writer, artist
and current president of the Humanists of Rhode Island, a non-profit group
dedicated to reason, compassion, optimism, courage and action. The views
expressed are his own and not necessarily those of any organization of which he
is a member. His photos and video are usable under the Creative Commons
license. Free to share with credit. Steve is happy to accept PayPal donations
from those who feel his journalism is worth something. You can use the email
address below.
Email: atomicsteve@gmail.com
Twitter: @SteveAhlquist
Twitter: @SteveAhlquist
"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never
the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” - Elie
Weisel