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AG Kilmartin Pushes for Increased Transparency in Energy Transmission Rates

AG Kilmartin Joins Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Energy Advocates Sending Letter to ISO-New England and New England Transmission Owners Arguing for a Public Process for Proposed Rate Increases

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today, along with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and consumer and energy advocates from several other New England states, sent a letter to ISO-New England and New England electric transmission owners urging the companies to develop a transparent process that allows all stakeholders the opportunity to review, question, and challenge proposed transmission rates.

"A revised protocol should also allow parties a meaningful opportunity to question the transmission owners and ISO New England regarding the proposed formula rates and provide a well-defined process to challenge implementation of proposed [Regional Network Service] and [Local Network Service] rates," the attorneys general wrote in the letter.

"As the cost of energy continues to be an issue in Rhode Island and regionally we need to make sure there is greater transparency in the process, from electric transmission owners to the electric suppliers," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "The transmission owners should also provide the calculations used to develop their proposed rates to state regulatory commissions, attorneys general, and consumer advocacy agencies. Further, the electric transmission owners should make available all inputs to transmission rate formula calculations and that they make an affirmative showing that such costs are properly included."

ISO-New England is an independent, non-profit Regional Transmission Organization serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. New England customers pay nearly $2 billion per year through the Regional Network Service rate alone.

Attorney General Kilmartin has been a strong advocate for greater transparency in the energy markets and how it impacts ratepayers. He intervened in National Grid's Energy Procurement case pending before the Public Utilities Commission to request the termination of the "billing adjustment" practice that left many customers facing unexpected charges on their electric bills last winter.

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