THIS IS A BILL OF A NORMAL SIZE HOUSE IN MONROE, CT

WHO? We, the Residents of Connecticut AND Ratepayers of Eversourse and UI demand that Governor Lamont, Legislators of Connecticut, and appointed director of PURA (Public Utilites Regulatory Authority), Marissa Paslick Gillett, revoke the massive increase in our electric bill, now labeled "PUBLIC BENEFIT".

WHAT? Public Benefits (CPB) Charge -- The CPB charge on electric bills combines three separate charges: (a) Systems Benefit Charge, (b) Renewable Energy Investment Charge, and (c) Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) Charge. 

According to CT. gov, It is the primary funding source for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, administered by the Connecticut Green Bank 

WHEN? 

July 1st The OCC estimates Eversource customers (using 700 kWh per month) will see a monthly bill increase of $47 starting in July 2024

The OCC estimates  UI customers (using 700 kWh per month) will see a monthly bill increase of $34 starting in July 2024. In actuality, most bills increased by hundreds of dollars. 

Sept 1st will add 0.835 cents per kilowatt hour to the electric bills of Eversource customers, and increase what customers of The United Illuminating Co. pay by 0.4592 cents per kilowatt hour.

As part of PURA’s Equitable Modern Grid initiative, the Charging Program — expected to run at least through 2030 — was set up to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure statewide in an effort to develop a “self-sustaining zero emission vehicle market.” 

It is estimated by CHEAPR that they will be shelling out between $12-$13 million in incentives this calendar to EV owners, courtesy of Eversourse and UI Ratepayers.

The EV Charging Program will offer incentives for the deployment of EVSE in five program areas, or market segments:

Residential Single-Family Level 2 Charging;
Residential Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs) Level 2 Charging;
Direct current fast charging (DCFC);
Destination Level 2 Charging; and
Workplace & Light-Duty Fleet Level 2 Charging.

These charges are imposed on UI and Eversource ratepayers only. Other Connecticut companies are not subjected to this "tarrif". These are:

Wallingford Department of Public Utilities, South Norwalk Electric and Water, Norwich Public Utilities, Jewett City Department of Public Utilities, Bozrah Light & Power, and Groton Utilities do not pay CPB.

Your bill changed for transparency - Gov Lamont and PURA - The Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) provides an updated description of the electric charges on the monthly residential bill as of July 1, 2024 for transparency as required by Public Act 23-102 and directed by PURA in Docket No. 14-07-19RE06

There have been nearly $11 billion in State of Connecticut budget surpluses since 2017. And just two years ago, the state shattered all modern records, closing $4.3 billion in the black, a 20.8% surplus, larger than the second- and third-largest ever combined. (CT mirror)

WHY? 

The largest share of public benefits - 77% of it is related to Millstone and the fact that in 2017 the legislature passed the bill to guarantee that we would be buying power from Millstone,” according to (NBC CT). The 10 year contract covers from 2019 to 2029.

In 2020 during the pandemic, the legislature prohibited the Utility Companies from shutting off service to non-paying customers.

Gov. Lamont’s four-year COVID era executive order, which allowed customers to skip paying their electric bills without being shut off, is saddling ratepayers with an additional $140 million burden. None of the ARPA funding is being used for this.

WHAT IS APRA? The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed by the US Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in March of 2021. The bill was a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and sought to speed the United States’ recovery by addressing both the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

WHY IS THIS FUND NOT BEING USED TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO CT RATEPAYERS?

Great question! CT received 2.6 billion dollars. Our Goverment promised to repay Eversourse and UI  through our electric bill instead of using APRA funding as it was originally intended for. 

Legislature and the Governor knew that these bills would eventually have to be paid and of course, now it falls on the ratepayers who have been paying their bills all along and during COVID to pick up the tab!

PURA authorized Eversource to recover $873 million
PURA authorized UI to recover $356 million
PURA Vote was 2-1 for the rate increase!

WE NEED TO HAVE OUR UTILITY BILL DROPPED TO A SUSTAINABLE LEVEL!

This adds insult to injury to an already elevated inflation environment and high taxes Connecticut imposes on us.

WE NEED OUR GOVERNMENT TO FIX THIS! 

Remove EV funding and rebates out of the electric bill

Pay COVID mortatorium and all future debts to UI and Eversource out of the general fund or left over ARPA funding

Electric bill should be only electricity used

This petition will be sent to Gov Lamont, The office of Consumer Counsel, and all Representatives in the State of Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Eversource and UI Ratepayers and the registered voting / Tax Paying Citizens of Connecticut

****NOTE: ANYONE DONATING MONEY HERE WILL NOT GO TO THIS CAUSE BUT SUPPORTS CHANGE.ORG****