Harriman Utility Board (HUB) is asking electric customers to pay more even as one of its biggest investments—the municipal fiber broadband network—falls short of the customer support it promised.

According to HUB’s own figures as of June 24, the utility has just 700 active fiber customers, representing an approximate 9.3% take rate. That is far below HUB’s stated long-term goal of 40%. To bridge that gap, HUB says it plans to add at least 100 new customers every month, while placing greater emphasis on attracting enterprise and business accounts.

Those numbers raise an obvious question: if the broadband project is performing at less than one-quarter of its target adoption rate, why are electric customers being asked to pay higher rates?

A 9.3% take rate suggests the project has not yet achieved the level of demand needed to meet its own expectations, and rather than addressing the reasons behind the low adoption rate, HUB’s strategy appears to focus on accelerating customer acquisition. Electric rate increases should be based on the needs of maintaining and improving the electric system—not used in a way that leaves customers wondering whether they are indirectly supporting an underperforming broadband venture. Even if the two operations are legally separated, public confidence depends on transparency and accountability.

Harriman residents deserve clear answers. What is driving the electric rate increase? How is the broadband project being financed? And what safeguards exist to ensure electric customers are not bearing the financial consequences of a broadband system that has achieved only a 9.3% take rate?

Public utilities exist to serve the public. That means being honest about performance, transparent about finances, and accountable when projects fall short.

Before asking families and businesses to pay more for electricity, HUB should demonstrate that every dollar consumers pay is being used responsibly—not simply to compensate for a project that remains far from its stated goal.