Submitted by Mitch Gross, Eversource.
BERLIN, Conn. (July 16, 2020) – As part of its efforts to support customers facing financial hardship and other challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eversource is encouraging customers to closely manage their energy supply options so that they do not overpay an alternative supplier. According to the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, in April 2020, residential Eversource customers who chose suppliers paid in aggregate approximately $1.5 million more than the Standard Offer for their electric generation.
We never want our customers to overpay an alternative supplier for their electricity, especially not now with many people continuing to face financial hardship due to the pandemic,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. “Our Generation Service Charge (GSC) for residential customers in Connecticut decreased by nearly 22 percent beginning July 1 and we encourage all of our customers to evaluate their energy supply options to ensure that they’re paying the lowest possible cost.”
As a regulated delivery company, Eversource purchases electricity from wholesale suppliers on behalf of its customers who are signed up for the company’s standard service with no profit to the company. By state law, the Standard Service price changes twice a year, on January 1st and July 1st. As of July 1, 2020, the Standard Service Charge for residential customers decreased from 9.414 cents per kilowatt-hour to 7.375 cents per kilowatt-hour and will remain in effect until December 31, 2020.
Eversource customers, with the exception of residential hardship, have the option to buy their power from other retail suppliers or go with the company’s standard service rate. Alternative supplier prices in Connecticut have recently ranged from 6.61 to 12.79 cents per kilowatt hour. Customers can find out more information about alternate suppliers and rates at https://www.energizect.com/compare-energy-suppliers. Customers currently buying power from other retail suppliers can check the current rate and terms of their supply agreement on the front of their monthly bill.
As energy use can often increase during the hottest days of the year with people cooling homes and businesses with air conditioners, so Eversource also reminds its customers that energy efficiency remains the single most effective way to take control of their year-round energy costs.
