Customers react to proposed Connecticut utility rate hike - WTNH.com

Customers react to proposed Connecticut utility rate hike

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — This week we’ve heard from many state lawmakers on the proposed electricity rate hikes by Eversource and United Illuminating that would kick in this spring.

The increases would add an extra $38 a month on Eversource customers electric bills, and an extra $30 a month for United Illuminating customers.

But, what are customers saying?

Tom O’Toole has been impacted by the increase.

“Gas went up, as well as electricity on a fixed income,” he said. “So, yes, you’re struggling.”

When he first learned the news of a possible rate hike last week, he said it was hard to believe.

“Rates have increased probably 20 to 25% for me,” O’Toole said.

Donnie Mathis has had the same experience.

“If you don’t know what your expense are going to be from month to month, and they fluctuate as frequently as they do, then it’s hard to adjust for it,” he said.

If PURA, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, approves the increases, the higher rates would kick in starting May 1.

Eversource said nuclear power costs are largely to blame for the increase, but it would also pay off millions in unpaid balances accrued during the pandemic.

Jessica Tremblay of Bethany didn’t hold back her thoughts.

“It’s disgusting that we pay our bill every month and have to suffer and pay for people that never paid,” she said.

Eversource said it’s willing to work with customers to phase-in the potential increase, and the company is making necessary adjustments to avoid a price shock from happening again.

“We continue working with stakeholders on solutions to minimize the impacts of the rate increase on the public policy portion of customers’ bills,” Eversource spokesperson Jamie Ratliff said.

In a statement, United Illuminating defended the price increase.

“The increases UI forecasted last week in the RAM (Rate Adjustment Mechanism) represent pass-through costs driven by public policy decisions made by the General Assembly, DEEP, and PURA and are out of UI’s control,” United Illuminating’s spokesperson Sarah Wall Fliotso said. “The primary drivers of the increase are the contracts for the Millstone and Seabrook nuclear power plants, which were anomalously low in 2023 due to global energy market conditions, and the increase in costs for low-income assistance programs. Together, these items comprise 87 percent of the increase, which UI currently forecasts will be approximately $26 monthly for the average residential customer. UI’s new electric bill redesign, which began in the February billing cycle, will delineate these charges under the ‘Public Benefits’ section. We encourage our customers impacted by these increases to provide feedback to the legislators who pushed and advocated for these increased costs. As always, UI stands ready to work collaboratively with the General Assembly and the Lamont Administration to find solutions that address the true drivers of high costs for our customers, and at the same time unlock the investments in grid modernization and resiliency needed to deliver a more affordable clean energy future.”