Dramatic spike in electric rates hits Conn. consumers hard
The majority of Eversource and United Illuminating Co. customers have begun receiving their first electric bills since rates were significantly increased, and some have reported seeing their bills nearly doubling.
“Is this really happening?” Lydtz Thomas, a Beacon Falls resident, said on social media in response to a reporter’s inquiry. “My Eversource bill is $504.65 and it’s not even summer.”
Across multiple social platforms, consumers from around Connecticut are expressing frustration and incredulity about their electric bills. The increase in those bills is the result of a spike in the cost of electricity that Eversource and UI procure for consumers through what is known as the standard service offer.
Southbury’s Matt Morris said his latest electric bill was $798, a $308 increase over his December bill.
“It was below that the month before,” Morris said, explaining his November bill was even lower than the one in December.
Laura Suter-Corbo, of Cheshire, said her latest electric bill increased by $115.88. Her previous electric bill was was $177.93.
Some consumers are waiting to assess the full impact the spike in standard offer electric rates will have on their household budgets.
Cheryl Pavitt lives in Meriden and her billing period ends on the 13th day of every month. For the period between Dec. 13, 2022 to Jan.13, 2023, Pavitt’s bill was $120.74.
The family’s electric bill for the billing period for mid-November through mid-December last year was $100.49. But comparing Pavitt’s latest mid-December to mid-January bill to the one during the same period a year ago shows a $43.32 increase.
Pavitt said she will have a better idea of the full impact of the rate increase on her household when her electric bill arrives later this month.
“I’m dreading it,” Pavitt said.
She said her family has tried to change their electric consumption habits, taking such steps as unplugging anything that does not warrant being plugged in, shutting off computer printers and laptops and not running the clothes dryer any more than necessary.
“We are extremely concerned about the upcoming summer months and running central air conditioning,” Pavitt said. “We are currently looking in to replacing our older central air conditioning unit and also have our windows replaced to try and mitigate the electric increase along with our oil consumption.”
Consumers shouldn’t expect much financial help from Connecticut lawmakers this session.
“We’ve done pretty much all we can to help consumers for the next five months,” said state Sen. Norman Needleman, D-Essex, co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee.
Standard service electric rates change every six months and this legislative session will have adjourned by the time new rates are established for July 1.
“About the only thing we can do is extend the period for the moratorium for shutoffs (for nonpayment), which I hope will happen,” Needleman said.
Over a longer term, he said lawmakers may consider asking state utility regulators to study possible changes to the procurement process used to provide energy for the utilities’ standard service customers.
“We may ask PURA (Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) to study, and I wouldn’t expect too quick a response,” he said. “The
problem is that for years, the procurement process has yielded some of the lowest supply rates in the region. The process basically worked until it didn’t and now we have to determine whether changes in procurement will keep what is currently going on from ever happening again.”
Eversource and UI are offering a number of options and payment plans to help consumers with the increases in their electric bills.
“Customers who’ve never needed help before may qualify for these programs,” said Jess Cain, Eversource’s vice president of customer operations and assistance. “We want to make sure customers who need help are
aware of the many programs they can take advantage of, especially now with historically high energy costs we’re seeing due to global events and demand.”
Eversource offers a program that can lower a past due balance with monthly payments as low as $50 for electric or gas heating customers receiving public assistance benefits. For every dollar a customer pays and every dollar they receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, Eversource will subtract the same amount from what is owed until the balance is paid.
The utility’s New Start Program can help pay off a past due balance for electric customers in as little as 12 months. With on-time monthly payments, some of what is owed will be subtracted each month.
As an example, if a budget payment is set at $150 per month and the past due balance is $1,200, for every month a customer pays the required $150 toward their bill, Eversource will reduce the past-due balance by $100. Eversource will hold a noon webinar on Feb. 21 for customers who want to learn more about the utility’s payment programs. Advance registration for the webinar is required.
UI’s efforts to help customers who fall behind include a matching payment program. Customers who qualify for the program will work with company officials to develop a monthly budget agreement. If customer sticks to the terms of that agreement, UI will match the consumers’ payments to reduce any back balance.
The utility also offers flexible payment plans that can be spread over 18 months for residential customers and six months for nonresidential customers. More details on UI’s programs to help consumers pay their bills are available by calling 1800-7225584.