Eversource Files Electric Rate Increase Request

Eversource has asked the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to approve an increase that the company said could increase the electric bill for an average customer by nearly 50 percent, or $85 per month, on the supply portion of the bill.

Eversource said, if approved, the increased rates would be in effect from Jan. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023.

Eversource is looking to increase the Standard Service Rate for residential customers who receive their energy supply from Eversource from 12.1 cents per kilowatt-hour to 24.2 cents per kWh, compared to 11.5 cents per kWh last winter, Eversource said.

The company said, on average, an Eversource residential electric customer who uses 700-kilowatt hours of power each month could see an increase of approximately 48% over their current monthly bill – or $85 per month – on the supply portion of the bill.

Eversource said the reasons include energy costs that continue to rise globally and regional electric supply prices reaching all-time highs this year due to increased global demand for and the high cost of natural gas, world events, extreme weather, and other issues.

Eversource bills include a supply part and a delivery part.

In a statement, Gov. Ned Lamont said he'll be calling the General Assembly into a special session to adopt legislation focused on helping residents. This includes ensuring the state's energy assistance program has enough funding to guarantee support is available for electricity and heating oil costs.

“I am disappointed electric distribution utilities are enjoying historic profits at the same time electric generation rates are increasing and customers are experiencing economic hardships, and I call on UI and Eversource to come to the table with solutions that recognize their investors and executives can and should support customers while we work together towards long-term solutions that untether us from the volatility of global fossil fuel markets," Lamont said.

Attorney General William Tong released a statement, saying the increase would be unaffordable for many families and businesses.

“This is a massive increase that will be unaffordable for many Connecticut families and businesses. We pay far too much for our energy in Connecticut as it is, and these winter rates are nothing short of punishing. My office has intervened on behalf of consumers at each and every rate case before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because we know how much the cost of energy impacts family budgets," Tong said in a statement.

"We have next to no ability to challenge these supply rates, which is frustrating. Our supply rates always fluctuate between winter and summer, but this is not normal. We are seeing a huge global spike in gas costs due to the war in Ukraine and Russian manipulation of gas supplies. Both as a country and a state, we need to take a hard look at our energy sources and reduce our reliance on sources like natural gas that produce these wild, unaffordable surges in rates,” Tong added.

“As Connecticut families struggle with rising costs of living, these alarmingly high rate hikes are deeply troubling and must be aggressively scrutinized by state authorities. Every possible action must be taken to reduce these increases and minimize their impact on consumers. Connecticut families simply can’t pay any more for utilities,” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said in a statement.

The Office of the Consumer Counsel said United Illuminating is also looking to increase its rates.

UI wants to increase rates from $0.1062 to $0.2249 per kilowatt hour, which would impact the average United Illuminating residential customer
using 700 kWh per month by increasing a monthly bill by approximately
$83.09, according to the Office of the Consumer Counsel.

Utility Bill Payment Plans & Assistance

If you need assistance paying your utility bill both Eversource and UI offer bill
assistance options to help:

• Eversource: Call 1-800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (gas) or get help online here.
• UI: Call 800-722-5584 or get help online here.

State and Federal Assistance

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)1 benefits are also still available. Basic benefits toward heating bills range between $410 and $1,015, depending on the household’s income level

The CEAP is administered through the Department of Social Services
and local Community Action Agencies across the state.

You can apply online at ct.gov/heatinghelp/apply, contact your local CAA with additional questions or apply for assistance in-person or
over the phone.

Operation Fuel Assistance

Operation Fuel provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut facing financial crisis. Call (860) 243-2345 or visit https://operationfuel.org/gethelp/.