NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has trimmed approximately $40 million from the rate increase requested by electricity distributor United Illuminating Company

PURA released its proposed final decision Wednesday. Commissioners will issue a final ruling Dec. 14.

UI requested a rate increase to address operating deficiencies of approximately $66 million in 2017, $20 million in 2018 and $12 million in 2019. The company proposed increasing residential customer rates by roughly 5 percent in each of the next three years, beginning Jan. 1.

PURA's decision will still allow revenue to increase approximately $41 million in 2017; $14.4 million in 2018 and $3.4 million in 2019. PURA estimates customers rates will increase 2.1-to-2.7 percent beginning January.

UI serves approximately 330,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas.