Connecticut Modifies Utility Bill Inserts Promoting Electric Choice

The Connecticut PURA has ordered Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating to modify the current quarterly billing inserts which promote electric choice.

Currently, the bill inserts provide the name, address and contact information for electric suppliers, and also lists all generally available price plans and rates offered by the electric suppliers.

"Providing this information was intended to expand consumer awareness about electric supplier choice and the web site where consumers could learn more about electric choice. However, the number and variety of plans and rates have steadily increased, resulting in the listing of an overwhelming amount of information on these bill inserts," PURA said.

"As an example, the February 2013 CL&P bill insert listed over 100 different residential and small business rates. Additionally, the lag in distributing the bill insert combined with the influx of promotional and short-term variable price offer has resulted in providing untimely prices to consumers. The Authority concludes it is necessary to modify the bill insert," PURA said.

The utilities were directed to continue issuing quarterly inserts in the present format; however, the bill insert shall list only fixed-price offers (as defined for posting to the PURA Rate Board), and each listing shall show the term of the offer (e.g., fixed until December 31, 2013, 6-month fixed effective October 1, 2013).

"Following the list of fixed-price offers, the insert must state that, in addition to the fixed-price offers listed on the insert, many suppliers offer alternate plans which can be viewed on EnergizeCT.com. The bill insert shall also include prominent language that encourages consumers 'to regularly check the generation portion of their electric bill and visit the PURA website or EnergizeCT.com website to determine if they can lower their cost,'" PURA said

The utilities were directed to implement these changes for the bill insert to be issued in November 2013, which shall be submitted to the Authority for prior approval.