New England states protest grid operator's budget

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — State attorneys general, regulators and consumer advocates in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are protesting proposed budget increases requested by New England's electric grid operator.

State officials said in a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday that ISO-New England's $165 million budget request for 2013 isn't justified.

State officials said the region's ratepayers bear the costs of running ISO and asked federal regulators to allow more state involvement in the budget process.

The ISO, which is based in Holyoke, Mass., said ISO's budget process is transparent and that state officials have several opportunities to become involved.

In its filing, the ISO backed its budget request by citing higher interest expense for debt and saying it's added positions related to gas as a growing energy source.