Connecticut AG Calls For 'Significant' Eversource Rate Reduction

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong Tuesday called on the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to "significantly reduce" the electric rates of Eversource Energy.

Tong said that, following the passage of the "Take Back Our Grid Act" last year, PURA opened a rate review proceeding and is evaluating electric companies' rates to see if an interim rate reduction is appropriate.

The Grid Act, passed in October, urged PURA to examine whether interim rate relief was warranted for Connecticut consumers.

"Connecticut families and consumers cannot afford to pay any more fortheir utilities. Electricity costs in our state are already the highest in the continental United States and as families continue to work and attend school from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they need a break from these oppressive costs," Tong said. "I am urging PURA to approve an interim rate decrease and give ratepayers a much-needed reprieve."

Tong claimed that, since its last rate case in 2018, Eversource's costs have decreased, but those reductions are not reflected in Eversource’s current rates.

Decreasing Eversource's annual distribution revenue by between $65 million and $123 million per year would reduce Eversource’s rates to a range that is "reasonable," Tong said, while adding a $100 million rate reduction would result in 4.54 percent distribution rate decrease and a 2.6 percent total bill decrease for ratepayers.

"Eversource ratepayers pay far too much for electricity and Eversourceshareholders are reaping the benefits," Tong said in a brief filed with PURA. "Oppressive electric rates impose unreasonable economic burdens on Connecticut families, which are more home-centric in their work, educational, and leisure pursuits due to the COVID-19 public health and economic crises. In the Take Back Our Grid Act, a productof the September 2020 Special Session, the Legislature urged PURA toexamine whether interim rate relief is warranted for Connecticutelectric ratepayers during these turbulent times. The evidencepresented in this case demonstrates that Eversource’s rates arebloated and unaffordable.”"

Eversource spokesman Mitch Gross responded to Tong' statements Tuesday.

"We're committed to helping customers control their energy costs and have presented PURA with options to reduce rate impacts and help people better manage utility bills," he said.

Gross said Eversource is willing to work with customers.

"We understand the pandemic is still challenging for some customers and remind everyone we have a variety of payment plans and programs available to help including the COVID-19 Payment Plan," he said. "All Eversource customers – regardless of financial need, residential and non-residential – are eligible to sign-up for this which enables them to pay a past-due balance over a period of up to 24 months with no interest charges and no down payment. Enrollment is open through September 30."

_____

Eversource has been urging anyone having difficulty paying their bill to contact the utility at 800-286-2828 or visit Eversource.com/billhelp for information on financial programs.