James Sánchez

If you saw an unwelcome rise to your electricity bill this month, I share your frustration and vow to fight for reforms that support ratepayers while imposing accountability, transparency, and oversight on our utilities. It simply comes down to the fact that you deserve to be more informed.

I voted in support of HB 5507 this past session, which reformed the Siting Council to create more accountability, transparency, and oversight of the process by which utilities are allowed to utilize eminent domain and be reimbursed by ratepayers for building projects.

As for your latest bill, supply rates for electricity have dropped, but the public benefits portion saw a sharp increase. Since supply and public benefits now make up nearly 60% of a total electricity bill, what does this mean for you and how did we get here?

Millstone Deal

Supply rates and public benefits are extremely volatile and are not subject to control by utility companies like Eversource and United Illuminating (UI). The rise in the public benefits portion of the bill, however, mostly has to do with a compromise that was reached in 2017, before my time in the CT House of Representatives, that requires Eversource and UI to purchase power from the Millstone power plant. The rate at which the utilities purchase power is set to adjust periodically and the resulting public benefits charge is reviewed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Utilities can phase in new charges to reduce the monthly cost to consumers, but they decided to do it all at once. The 10-month cost spike will be in place through May 2025.

Taking Action

I’m already engaging with my colleagues to address this issue head on. While we intend to evaluate the public benefits charge during the next legislative session that begins in January 2025, previous action to control electricity costs is just coming online. We passed the Take Back Our Grid Act in 2021, which contained some significant reforms, including strengthening PURA's ability to scrutinize and review rate increases and performance-based regulation. In 2023, PA 23-102 became law, and it is robust pro-consumer legislation that provides predictability and transparency for rate payers and prohibits utility companies from using electric rates to pay for their lobbying, marketing, and travel/lodging for company executives.

At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Energy has also selected the Power Up New England proposal submitted by Connecticut and its neighboring New England states to receive an award of up to $389 million through the second round of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s competitive Grid Innovation Program (GIP). Power Up features significant investments in regional electric infrastructure that will provide the New England region with access to thousands of megawatts of offshore wind, greater resource diversity, and increased reliability while lowering consumer costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Checking Your Rates

Third-party electricity suppliers can potentially lower costs through reduced rates at EnergizeCT.com. Additionally, the Office of Consumer Counsel offers a guide to understanding the line items on your electricity bill here.

Available Programs

If you are struggling financially, call your power supplier before missing a payment if possible. Programs are available, including financial hardship designations that provide access to a Low-Income Discount Rate and payment arrangements for customers in need; energy assistance through the state Department of Social Services; negotiated flexible payment arrangements for non-financial hardship customers; and energy efficiency programs offered by utilities to evaluate customers' homes and provide rebates and discounts on needed improvements.

Additionally, the Appropriations, Energy and Technology and Human Services Committees will have a public hearing on Tuesday, August 13 at 11 a.m. to review the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Allocation Plan for federal fiscal year 2025. LIHEAP provides funding for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which helps residents afford heat for their homes. 

Please click on the links below if you wish to:

Register to Speak
Submit Written Testimony
Watch Tuesday's Public Hearing

While CEAP applications are not yet open, but if you anticipate needing help with your utility bills, Operation Fuel provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut facing financial crisis. You can learn more at operationfuel.org/gethelp.