Recent changes to Connecticut law regarding electricity seek to create greater transparency and increase protection for residential consumers.
The changes stem from a legislative package called the Electric Supplier Consumers’ Bill of Rights, which Gov. Dannel Malloy introduced in the 2014 legislative session of the General Assembly. The intent is to address growing concerns such as consumer complaints about skyrocketing prices and the lack of disclosure about rates and contract terms in the state’s electric supplier market.
Earlier this year, the state’s electric utility companies reported some suppliers were charging rates that doubled the standard service rate of just more than 9 cents per kilowatt hour. By requiring electricity suppliers to provide clear and specific information about how much consumers are being charged for electricity, the goal is to end “misleading and deceptive marketing practices,” give consumers an opportunity to shop around for the best prices, choose the electric retailer that works best for them and save on their monthly electricity bill.
Malloy signed Public Act No. 14-75 into law in June, implementing several provisions in the Bill of Rights.
“The legislation enacted this year in response to the overwhelming number of consumer complaints received about third-party electric suppliers creates meaningful new consumer protections in the electric supplier market,” said state Attorney General George Jepsen. “These reforms promise much greater transparency and flexibility for customers of independent electric suppliers. While consumers will see many of these important reforms immediately, our work is not yet complete.”
