Corey P. Paris

If you're having trouble paying your energy bills, Eversource is hosting a FREE webinar TOMORROW, Tuesday, August 23, at NOON to discuss programs to help individuals with their energy bills.

Please see Eversource's full announcement below:

Register HERE for the Webinar

Learn More About Payment Plans and Assistance Here

Connecticut consumers pay some of the highest energy prices in the country. While the legislature doesn’t control rates, we have been working to address these costs. 

In 2020 the Connecticut General Assembly passed the "Take Back Our Grid" Act, which aims to hold utility providers accountable to ratepayers and pushes them to improve services and storm response. The bill:

• Establishes Performance Based Ratemaking – where PURA sets standards the utilities must meet, develops metrics for determining progress, and allows the issuance of penalties if the utilities fail to meet the standard;
• Requires the utilities to provide $25 daily bill credits and $250 total claim for food and medicine, as well as reduced charges to residential customers without power lasting more than 96 hours;
• Ties the portion of executive salaries that come from ratepayers to the company's performance;
• Develops minimum staffing levels for lineman, communications personnel and others to make sure the utilities respond to storms quickly and convey timely information to their customers. 

These changes fall short of the fundamental reform that Connecticut needs. It is a complex issue where there are no easy solutions. I will continue to work alongside my legislative colleagues to develop smart strategies to hold our energy companies accountable and deliver for ratepayers.