The Power To Create Change
The the next legislative session ushers in the efforts for change through the Municipal Choice Bill on Beacon Hill.
After the ice storm of 2008, which particularly devastated the areas served by Unitil, it was apparent to me that something needed to change. I, along with a grassroots coalition, collected more than 6,000 signatures from ratepayers throughout the region to ask our government to remove Unitil as our utility provider.
We presented our petition to Gov. Deval Patrick, who had come to our area and brought in a different utility to restore power. At the time, we believed presenting Patrick with the petition was the answer — that the people had spoken. Little did I know that wasn’t the end; it was simply the beginning.
Two years later we are still asking our government for change. The impact of Unitil on the residents as well as the businesses in our region has been devastating. Everyone is being effected, from the elderly and the helpless,to the businesses struggling to survive due to some of the highest utility rates in the nation. Hearing from so many in need and seeing the continued impact with blue-sky outages and outdated infrastructure, it is mind-boggling that the ravaging impact has continued for so long.
And now we have continued our battle through legislation. The Municipal Choice Bill would provide for competition within the utility sector. Just the mere passage of this measure by our lawmakers will provide much needed relief.
With the recent announcement of another rate hike by Unitil, there has never been a more important time for this bill to be enacted.
For residents and businesses in North Central Massachusetts, the power to create and bring change is vital to being able to sustain and further encourage growth in this struggling economy.
Cathy Clark is an organizer of Get Rid of Unitil. Visit www.getridofunitil.com for more information.
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