Lawmakers slam potential $2.4 billion sale of Aquarion Water Company, 'The fix is in.'
Senator Tony Hwang claims customers could see a potential 65% rate hike if the deal goes through.
A multibillion dollar water war is being waged between Connecticut's largest energy utility and state lawmakers.
Eversource wants to sell Aquarion Water Co., which serves nearly one million people in the state, to a new quasi-public entity called the Aquarion Water Authority, but local leaders say the potential sale is flooded with concerns.
"The fix was in," State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg says. "I'm embarrassed to be a part of a government that would allow something like this to happen."
State Senator Tony Hwang claims customers could see a potential 65% rate hike if the deal were to go through.
He also said the sale could lead to weaker environmental protections and higher property taxes.
"You don't hide a multibillion-dollar water sale in legislative fine print that was passed last year in June in a special session," State Sen. Hwang says. "If this deal was good for the public, it would've had a very, very welcomed public scrutiny, which it did not have."
Aquarion, though, claims the new publicly-owned model could lead to lower rates.
The Regional Water Authority has seen rate increases of 40% over the last decade, but Aquarion Water Authority Board Chairman David Borowy says there will be no blending of RWA rates with AWA's.
"Rates for AWA (Aquarion Water Authority) will continue to be set as a standalone entity," Borowy says.
PURA is set to vote on the $2.4 billion sale this Wednesday.
Attorney General William Tong says it's a possibility the state could pursue legal action if the sale goes through.
