Lamont: Eversource to repay families for ‘inadequate’ Isaias response

Eversource is paying Connecticut families back millions of dollars after its poor response to Tropical Storm Isaias, Gov. Ned Lamont’s office announced Friday.

The state entered into a $103.4 million agreement with Eversource, Connecticut’s largest energy provider, to “increase local accountability and control,” Lamont’s office said. The agreement states Eversource

cannot increase its rates until at least January 2024.

About $65 million in Eversource funds will be immediately returned to customers in the form of two credits on their December and January power bills. An average customer will see about $35 total, Lamont’s office said.

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has also levied a $28.4 million penalty to Eversource due to the company’s “inadequate response to Isaias,” Lamont’s office said.

Ratepayers will see this penalty as a credit on their bills as well.

“With this settlement, ratepayers get some welldeserved relief in the shortterm,” Lamont said. “And in the long-term they get more security that something like this won’t happen again.”

The remaining $10 million will be used to help customers who are having trouble playing their utility bills. All 1.2 million Connecticut customers are eligible to opt into a 24-month payment plan to pay down their bills and avoid service disconnection. These payment plans do not have fees or interest attached.

Customers needing utility assistance can call Eversource at 800-286-2828 or visit www.Eversource .com/BillHelp.

According to the agreement, Eversource will name a Connecticut-based president of Connecticut Light and Power. This will “improve local accountability and control” and “add new seats to its governance board for representatives from Connecticut,” Lamont’s office said.

Attorney General William Tong said this agreement is strong, but “Eversource still has a lot of work ahead to earn back Connecticut’s trust.”

“I will be watching carefully to ensure every term of this agreement is honored, and that Connecticut families finally receive the safe and reliable service they deserve,” Tong added.

During Tropical Storm Isaias, more than 750,000 power outages were reported statewide. Some customers didn’t have power for up to a week as utility crews rushed to repair damaged utility poles and transformers.

Tong said the electric company failed its customers and put families at risk after the tropical storm.

“That cannot happen again,” he said. “This agreement forces significant governance changes at Eversource to bring much-needed local control and oversight.”