Rep. Ackert Helps Local Residents Understand their Electricity Bills

Rep. Ackert Helps Local Residents Understand their Electricity Bills

COVENTRY/COLUMBIA – State Representative Tim Ackert (R-8) held two informative workshops in Coventry and Columbia last month to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about lowering their electricity bills.

“Understanding the generation rate process can be confusing and frustrating at times, but state agencies provide resources to help residents save time and money,” said Rep. Ackert. “As the ranking member of the legislature’s Energy and Technology committee, I will continue to work with suppliers and consumers to simplify residents’ electricity bills.”

Representatives from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and Eversource gave a detailed presentation about navigating the Energize Connecticut website, www.energizect.com. The website gives residents the tools to compare electricity rates from suppliers licensed by PURA. In addition, they walked residents through the process of understanding their electricity bills and the difference between choosing a standard service and a third-party service.

Electric distribution companies, Eversource and United Illuminating (UI), provide a standard service plan to residents who do not choose a third-party supplier. Standard service is a fixed price that only changes twice per year— July 1 and January 1.

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently announced, starting July 1 the new standard service generation rates will decrease from 9.555 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 6.606 cents/kWh.

Rep. Ackert also explained that a bill passed by the General Assembly last year will prevent suppliers from offering or imposing variable rate contracts on residential customers. As a result, suppliers must offer fixed-rate contracts to their new customers. Residents can check if they are on a variable rate contract entered into prior to that date and switch to standard service or another supplier without penalty or additional fee.

In April, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) awarded Rep. Ackert with the AARP Legislative Achievement Award for spearheading legislation to ban variable rate contracts.

Residents are encouraged to contact Rep. Ackert with any questions they may have about lowering their electricity bill at Tim.Ackert@housegop.ct.gov or (860) 240-8700.

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