The second phase of United Illuminating?s (UI) electric rate increase goes into effect Sunday and customers say they are not happy about it.

During the first phase of the increase from January to March, UI customers saw a 25 percent increase in their electric bills. In the second phase, electric rates will increase by 20 percent from April until June.

Bridgeport resident and UI customer George Dixon says, ?That?s going to be a burden on a lot of people, including myself, because the income level in this area is not?great.?

The new increase is part of this year?s total 50-pecent increase customers will see over last year?s total bill. UI spokesman Al Carbone says customers must pay more for their electricity because the company doesn?t generate any power on its own.

?We have to buy it. We deliver it to our customers so the costs we have to buy the power is passed along to the customers,? Carbone said.

The third phase of the rate increase will begin on July 1.

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