Following news this week that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority voted to establish discount rates beginning in 2024 – with applications beginning in 2023 – to help low-income residents struggling with electric costs, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) released the following statement in support of the decision:
“In August 2020, I helped lead the General Assembly in passing the ‘Take Back Our Grid Act,’ but that bill wasn’t just a response to poor storm response in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, it was done with the knowledge that our state needed to do more amid high electricity costs,” said Sen. Needleman. “PURA investigated the issue of affordable electric bills, and made this decision, due to that bill. While I wish the reduced rates could be implemented sooner to provide improved aid to folks who need it, I’m glad they will be established and implemented to reduce costs for thousands of state residents. It’s a meaningful step in the right direction.”
The new discount rates will go into effect no later than January 1, 2023, with customers able to begin applying for them beginning in August 2023. The rates, respectively, will offer a 10% discount to households earning less than 60% of the state median income and 50% discounts to households earning 160% or less of federal poverty guidelines. Customers receiving aid through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and “hardship” customers will be automatically enrolled to receive the 10% discount.