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In advance of a Monday hearing about utility rates, state and local leaders held a rally to blast officials of United Illuminating. UI has requested to reopen its rate case, a move that could lead to higher electric bills for customers. The request comes after recent news that UI plans to leave New Haven after 116 years to build its new headquarters in Orange

"Fight the hike, fight the hike.."   A crowd gathered in front of UI's headquarters in downtown New Haven. Mayor John DeStefano told them about his response to the news that UI is leaving the city. He said that reaction wasn't very measured or mature.  "And if it had elements of obscenity in it, my only defense is their decision was more obscene than what I told him at that moment. And that out of control utility needs to be told no...applause..."

Paula Panzarella of the Group Fight the Hike said UI ratepayers cannot afford higher electric bills. Three years ago, UI was granted a 50% rate hike. Earlier this week, the holding company that operates UI announced that profits had increased 45 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared with a year ago.  "Enough is enough. No more should UI feel they can see the consumers as the way to get more and more profits."

Jim Togerson, CEO of UI was standing in the crowd. He talked about the rate of return or "ROE" granted by utility regulators.
"We are not asking for a rate increase. What we asked the Commission to do was to look at the ROE they granted us granted which is the lowest in the country for any utility. So we asked them to take another look at that. We are not asking to increase rates at this time."

After Togerson's comments, Tony Vallilo, UI's President,  engaged Mayor DeStefano and other officials in a heated exchange on Church Street. 

The debate moves indoors Monday, to a public hearing at DPUC headquarters in New Britain.