The Public Utility Regulatory Authority has issued a draft decision to redesign electric bills so that customers can easily see the rate they are being charged.
PURA is responding to legislation passed last year after thousands of customers complained that they were taken advantage of by third-party electricity suppliers, who offered variable rates.
The first page of the redesigned bills would have both the third-party supplier’s rate and the standard rate offered by Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating.
"You can do a comparison and say, I'm getting a good deal, I'm not getting a good deal," said Elin Swanson Katz, Connecticut's Consumer Council.
You can do a comparison and say, I’m getting a good deal, I’m not getting a good deal. - Elin Swanson Katz
Swanson Katz added that those who feel they are not getting a good deal would be able to immediately switch to another supplier and not have to wait for the next billing cycle.
“Instead of having to wait weeks or months to change there is now something called 72 hour switching, which means you can switch back to standard service within 72 hours,” she said.
PURA is also recommending that third-party suppliers be banned from offering daily and weekly variable rates to residential customers. The draft decision requires suppliers to give a month’s notice of any rate changes. PURA will issue a final decision on January 21st.
