CONNECTICUT, USA — Eversource customers in Connecticut who saw a more expensive energy bill this month and are wondering why they are paying more for their electricity aren't alone.
According to Eversource, July was the hottest month on record, which means most customers used more energy to keep the air conditioning going.
Starting this month, customers are being charged more for the public benefits portion of their bill. In June, it was about 6% of the average bill, but in July it accounted for about 28% on average for customers.
The public benefits charge is a percentage of the bill, so the more energy used means the more that is paid towards the charge.
The public benefits portion covers two separate charges on the bill.
Customers will see the combined public benefits charge. This covers assistance programs, energy efficiency programs, and the growth, development and sale of renewable energy.
The FMCC charge is the federally mandated congestion charge which Eversource mostly uses to cover the cost of the millstone contract.
In total, rate payers owe Eversource $800 million for these public benefits which has to be paid over the course of 10 months.
State Rep. Liz Linehan, had a lot of questions for Eversource - mainly, why is the CEO of Eversource making millions of dollars more when customers are paying significantly more for their bills?
Joseph Nolan is the current CEO. He made $18.8 million in 2023; that’s up nearly $6 million from the year before.
Eversource said even if the top executive salary was put toward all customers' bills, it would only make about a $1 difference to each customer in paying off that $800 million dollar deficit.
PURA played a role in the timeline. Two of the three commissioners approved a 10 month payback timeline, while the third commissioner sided with lawmakers and said paying off the $800 million over a longer two to three year span would mean less drastic overall monthly bills for people.
These higher bills for August are just the start, and aren't going anywhere for the next 10 months - until mid-2025. After that, Eversource said the rate will be adjusted again.
Customers don't have a choice when it comes to paying a public benefit fee, but they can choose who their energy supplier is and can shop around for energy suppliers, which could help lower their supply cost.
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Alexa Farrell is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at AFarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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