Committee to draft tempered resolution opposing National Grid rate increase

The Warren County Legislative Rules and Governmental Operations Committee on March 28 directed staff to draft a county-specific resolution opposing National Grid’s proposed electricity and natural gas rate increases and to soften language from a template resolution drafted by another county.

Supervisor Wilde moved the resolution forward and Supervisor Drysko seconded; committee members voted to advance a Warren County version to the Board of Supervisors. The committee instructed Supervisor Wilde to work with county staff to tone down language in the draft before it goes to the full board.

Committee members expressed support for resisting steep increases while also pressing for measured language. Supervisor Majay said the county should seek “some middle ground,” noting concerns about impacts on industrial and other energy-intensive businesses. Supervisor Conover objected to inflammatory wording in the draft — naming words such as “reckless and excess” — and recommended professional, measured wording to improve the resolution’s effectiveness.

Administrator Taplin reported that information from National Grid indicated the proposed increases would take effect April 1. During discussion staff noted National Grid had requested a roughly 15% increase for electricity and about a 20% increase for natural gas (figures discussed in committee). The committee also noted a public comment period and a public statement period on April 10 and directed that the local resolution and any letter account for timing.

The committee did not adopt final resolution text at the March 28 meeting; supervisors approved forwarding a revised county draft for Board consideration and directed Supervisor Wilde and staff to prepare the draft and coordinate with legal counsel on timing.

No formal roll-call tally was recorded in the committee transcript; the chair put the motion to a voice vote and recorded it as passing.