Consumer Alert: Electricity Rate Hike Request
I am sharing an urgent consumer alert, regarding Connecticut’s utility companies. Eversource and United Illuminating have submitted electricity rate increase requests to the state’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA). These increases would double supply rates, effective January 1, 2023, resulting in increases of $85 and $79 respectively for households that use an average of 700kWh per month.
These astronomical rate increase requests come at a time when the cost of living has been skyrocketing out of control. As we look to the 2023 session and an effort to stabilize utility costs for consumers, I will be urging legislative action to secure our energy supply chain, and to ease dated energy regulations that continue to compound higher energy costs.
The legislature will be convening for Special Session at some point after Thanksgiving to take action on energy relief measures. In order to begin addressing these increased rate requests, I will be urging my colleagues to consider this subject matter when we meet.
Reducing Energy Costs and Assistance Programs
Homes that participate in energy efficiency programs see an average of $200-250 dollars in savings on their annual energy bills, and more if they install additional measures such as insulation.
Customers can visit https://energizect.com/resources-for/sf-homeowners to explore potential energy efficiency and renewable energy measures that may help lower your electricity usage.
If you need assistance paying your utility bill, Eversource offers bill assistance options to help:
• Eversource: Call 1-800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (gas); or visit: https://www.eversource.com/content/ct-c/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
CEAP benefits are available. Basic benefits toward heating bills range between $410 and $1,015, depending on the household’s income level.
Operation Fuel
Operation Fuel provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut facing financial crisis.