Power Utilities Look To Resume Disconnects In CT; Lamont Objects

CONNECTICUT — Power utilities have requested that state regulators allow them to resume disconnecting customers for non-payment. Gov. Ned Lamont's administration filed papers Wednesday objecting to the utilities' plans.

The shut-off moratorium was implemented last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The motion to release Eversource and United Illuminating from the restriction is currently under consideration at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

The Lamont administration's objection, which was made through the leadership of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, noted that resuming disconnections at this time would "have a devastating impact on many customers who are still struggling to pay their utility bills in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."

A news release from the governor's office cited a recent study performed by the National Bureau of Economic Research that estimated "moratoria on utility disconnections reduce[d] COVID-19 infections by 4.4 percent and mortality rates by 7.4 percent."

In the objection, DEEP is requesting the moratorium should stay in place until additional protections for struggling ratepayers, including anticipated assistance from the federal government, falls into place. The Feds have already earmarked more than $200 million to Connecticut to assist renters with rent and utility payments.

"Connecticut’s COVID comeback is happening, but we have a long way still to go and people are still suffering physically, socially, and financially," Lamont said.

"PURA’s shut-off moratorium and other state actions have provided crucial mitigation to the pandemic burden for all of our residents, but especially those disproportionately impacted minority communities who have the highest energy burdens on their household budgets. We are simply too early in our comeback to begin lifting these lifesaving protections now and we believe that there is potential for more help to be on the way," according to Lamont.

The objection also asks that PURA consider extending repayment terms beyond 24 months for the COVID-19 Repayment Plan.

"Resuming disconnections at this time would unnecessarily affect ratepayers who might benefit from these future initiatives and be able to avoid shut-off as a result," the filing reads.