Klarides-Ditria reminds consumers electricity supply costs to increase Jan.1

Recently, both Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) announced that electric supply rates would be up nearly 50% for the first six months of 2023, and natural gas prices have gone up by 25% in the last month and are expected to go higher. There are several components to these electricity cost increases, including the rising cost of natural gas (many of our electric generation facilities are powered by natural gas), pipeline capacity, and seasonal demand.   Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to change these underlying causes, but there are ways you can save energy and keep more of your hard-earned money. Most of us have taken steps to make our homes as energy efficient as possible, and every little bit helps. Regular cleaning and maintenance for water heaters, boilers, and heat pumps, and checking or adding insulation and making sure gaps and cracks are sealed to prevent cold air from getting in are all great ways to save energy and lower your monthly bills. One More Step Can Save Money Despite taking steps to seal our homes few of us have or take the time to understand the energy market and how it affects our bills.  In Connecticut, the electricity delivery market is regulated by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) but the supply market is not. Due to state law, Eversource and UI are prohibited from competing in the supply business, but there are several companies that offer electricity to consumers.   If you have never shopped for an electricity provider, please visit www.energizect.com to learn more and compare rates. Eversource and UI are required to provide default service on a pass-through basis, however, if customers do not choose a supplier, the utilities are required to procure "standard service” electricity for those customers.  For 2022, the delivery cost for Eversource was about 12.3c / kWh, and the supply cost was about 12c /kWh.  In a press release about the proposed rate increases, Eversource notes: “ ... the proposed Standard Service Rate for residential customers who receive their energy supply from Eversource would change from 12.1 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 24.2 cents per kWh, compared to 11.5 cents per kWh last winter.” You can check prices from other suppliers on energizect.com, including some suppliers currently offering substantially lower rate for longer term contracts. Switching between suppliers takes some time and it can take 2-3 billing cycles for the utility to make the switch. Since the rate increases on default service will take effect from Jan. 1, now is the time to comparison shop. I hope this information was helpful.

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria: Eversource shares payment assistance program information

Eversource is reminding customers to enroll in one of its payment plans or assistance programs if they need help with their energy bill. Both residential and nonresidential customers are eligible for payment arrangements at this time and are encouraged to call the energy company at 800-286-2828 to learn more.

Any residential customers experiencing difficulty paying their utility bill should contact Eversource’s call center to inquire about being coded hardship. Any customers ineligible for hardship status, including both residential and nonresidential customers, should ask about the COVID-19 Payment Program.

Customers who’ve never needed assistance previously may not realize they qualify for protection from service disconnection and may also be eligible for other programs to reduce past due balances. For example, a household of five with an annual income of ~$84 thousand dollars meets the income-eligibility requirements. Eversource encourages all customers to contact the energy company at the number above or to check their eligibility on the state income-eligibility matrix - and find out if one of the energy company’s programs below could be beneficial to them.

Important Dates:
Enrollment for the COVID-19 Payment Program for non-residential and residential customers is open until April 20, 2021.

COVID-19 Payment Plan:
Available to any customer, residential and business, requesting financial assistance, without demonstrating financial need;
Requires no initial down payment;
Can be up to 24 months;
Any late payment fees or interest is waived in the calculation of the monthly payment amount;
Any customer enrolled in a COVID-19 Payment Program who is current with their payment terms cannot be disconnected even once service disconnections resume.

New Start Program:
Customers can reduce or eliminate their outstanding balance in as little as 12 months when they make on-time monthly payments and Eversource will make up the difference.

Matching Payment Program:
Customers who heat their home with electricity or natural gas can get help paying their energy bill. Customers apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and set up an affordable monthly payment arrangement with Eversource. Customers receiving certain government benefits are eligible for payments as low as $50 per month. For every dollar a customer pays toward their bill by the agreed-upon time each month, a dollar will be credited to their past-due amount, down to a zero balance.

Eversource reminds customers to take advantage of its #1-ranked energy efficiency solutions to help reduce their energy costs. There are many energy efficiency options available to customers, including the Home Energy Solutions home energy improvement service as well as generous energy efficiency rebates and incentives. The energy company is also making it possible for customers to monitor their energy use with the Kill A Watt electricity usage meter which shows how much power is being used by most home devices. The Kill A Watt kits are available for borrowing from nearly 200 libraries around the state. A list of participating libraries can be found at Eversource.com, here.

Customers can learn more about payment programs and enroll online at Eversource.com/BillHelp. Information on energy efficiency programs is available at www.energizect.com. 

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria: Libraries offer Eversource 'Kill-A-Watt' kits to monitor energy use

Connecticut residents in Eversource service territory can now check out a “Kill-A-Watt” kit from their local library to monitor their home energy use.

The kit includes a “Kill-A-Watt” meter and information to help homeowners and renters understand the three different types of electric use: plug, lighting, and mechanical.

With the help of a Kill-A-Watt meter and the Eversource educational booklet included in the kit, residents can measure and record the amount of electricity they’re consuming. The booklet also provides tips to help homeowners and renters reduce their energy use and electric costs.

“Kill-A-Watt” kits are available at Beacon Falls Public Library and Seymour Public Library. 

For additional information on ways to save energy, visit www.Eversource.com or call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873).




Sincerely,




This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.

Ansonia officials: Eversource workers need approval to enter homes

UPDATE ON EVERSOURCE GAS OUTAGE

Shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA -

Mayor David S. Cassetti

and Corporation Counsel John Marini have confirmed with Eversource that Ansonia homes WILL NOT be entered without owner permission during the ongoing relighting process.

If homeowners are not home when Eversource technicians arrive to restore service, the company will make several attempts before leaving the area - then post a door hanger and return at another time.

Please call Eversource at (877) 944-5325 with any questions or concerns regarding this matter.

Map depicts gas service restoration times in Ansonia, Derby

From the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

Map by zones of estimated times of restoration from Eversource.

We're in Zone 2.

Thankful the sun is shining today.

Cassetti offers update on low gas pressure event in Ansonia, Derby

Code Red Message:

"Good Morning,

This is Mayor Cassetti and I would like to give our residents a brief update on the Eversource Low Gas Pressure Event.

Our Ansonia Chief Public Safety Officials have been and will continue to be at the Eversource Command Post working alongside Eversource leaders to assist with the safe restoration of gas service to our affected residents.

Eversource crews accompanied by Ansonia Emergency Services Personnel worked through the night to shut off meters at affected homes and continue to work at this time.

Our Police, Fire and ARMS Departments continue to have increased staff standing by and responding to calls for service throughout the event.

All affected areas in Ansonia and Derby have been broken up into zones to safely ensure gas is shut off and readied for restoration. Once a zone has been completely shut down, Eversource crews will begin to restore the zone by going residence to residence.

Eversource will need access to your home before gas can be restored. It is encouraged that a resident, over the age of 18, remain at your home to allow workers access to help expedite this process. If crews are unable to gain access from a resident, Eversource workers as well as Ansonia Police and Locksmiths will make entry to relite your appliances.

To avoid any issues, again, we ask that someone in your household or business remain there until your service is restored between now and midnight.

Eversource has again expressed that their goal is full restoration by midnight tonight.

If Eversource crews are unable to restore every service by that time, Eversource will restart work early Thursday morning. Please contact Eversource directly at 877 944-5325 if you need assistance or have any questions.

Our community is strong and we will get through this together. As always, you can reach me at City Hall by calling 203 736-5900, Press 1 or email dcassetti@ansoniact.org. Thank you and God Bless."

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Derby Town Clerk Marc Garofalo: Eversource identifies 2,534 affected customers in Derby, Ansonia

ATTENTION:

Gas Emergency Update:

 

Emergency Event Level: 1

An Emergency Event Level 1 indicates more than 2,200 customers could be impacted.

Eversource Working Through the Night to Restore Gas Service OVERVIEW AND SYSTEM STATUS

 

Eversource has identified a total of 2,534 customers in Derby and Ansonia who lost gas service due to the low-pressure issue.

The gas system has been isolated and been made safe and crews are currently conducting individual service shut offs.

In addition to the Mobile Command Center, four additional operation trailers are now onsite.

Eversource personnel who are going door-to-door to shut off gas service have been through medical screening for COVID-19 and have received clearance.

Gas service to the majority of customers will be restored by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

PLANNING AND RESPONSE READINESS

 

Eversource currently has 139 gas technicians with supervisors working on the low-pressure issue.

To expedite the restoration, four zones have been outlined within the restoration plan.

Additional Eversource gas technicians from Massachusetts have been deployed to support the restoration.

EVENT COMMUNICATION

 

Calls are being made alerting customers of technicians going door-to-door to shut off gas service.

A second call will be made to let impacted customers know their service will not be restored this evening. Customers without heat will be instructed to reserve their own hotel room and Eversource will reimburse the amount with a credit to their bill. Customers should save their receipt and call Eversource’s call center at 1-877-944-5325 to speak with a representative who will help them with this process.

Additional call center staff will be in place overnight to answer customer questions.

Community Liaisons are responding to town inquiries regarding polling locations and working with local community resources.

A media briefing will be held at 8 p.m. at the Eversource Emergency Command Center in Derby.

Updates are being provided to PURA’s Gas Pipeline Safety Unit and Gov. Lamont’s office. PURA is onsite with Eversource leadership.

Eversource continues to post outbound customer message via social and will alert customers with no gas service that Eversource will reimburse them for hotel accommodations and to call Eversource at 1-877-944-5325.

A big thank you to Derby Town Clerk Marc Garofalo for sharing this information while handling the Derby election results. 

Appreciation shown to Ansonia Fire Department

 

I'm kinda on edge here on Ansonia Hilltop this evening without any gas heat. My husband Ralph uses a wheelchair and cannot move around to keep warm as we wait to get our gas restored.

So when I heard fire trucks nearby on Ford Street I walked up the street to see what had happened and took these photos.

I heard it was a chimney fire but I have no official information. I want to give a big shout-out to the AFD for its quick response. 

Thank you to all who were on hand to keep our residents safe! You are appreciated.

Ansonia PD offers 8:20 p.m. update on Eversource gas outage

From Ansonia Police Department Facebook page:

"UPDATE ON EVERSOURCE GAS OUTAGE

"Eversource will be working on four separate quadrants in the Hilltop area as they shut down the gas. Please try to remain home until 10pm when this process should be completed.

"Customers without heat can reserve their own hotel room and Eversource will reimburse the amount with a credit to their bill. Customers should save their receipt and call Eversource’s call center at 1-877-944-5325 to speak with a representative who will help them with this process.

"Eversource will notify you again as they begin to turn the gas back on in your home. Please stay tuned for additional information from Eversource and Mayor Cassetti."

Cassetti gives update on gas outage in Ansonia, Derby

This is shared from Ansonia Police Department Facebook page:

Good Evening.

This is Mayor Dave Cassetti giving an update on the gas outage in Derby and Ansonia,. This outage is largely affecting residents in the Hilltop area due to low pressure in the gas line.

Eversource has informed me that they are working through the night going door to door to turn off gas meters. In some cases our Ansonia PD will accompany them if they are unable to gain access to the meter inside your home. They are asking that residents in the affected area have someone home until 10pm this evening. They will be working on four separate quadrants in the Hilltop area as they shut down the gas. Please try to remain home until 10pm when this process should be completed. Please standby for additional information from Eversource on alternate lodging if you cannot remain at home. Eversource will notify you again as they begin to turn the gas back on in your home. Please stay tuned for additional information from me and Eversource.

Stay safe and please don’t hesitate to contact me at city hall at 203-736-5900 ext. 1 with any questions.

I will do my best to answer questions as I receive updated information from Eversource.

Klarides-Ditria: Hearing slated via Zoom on Eversource rate increases

Dear Neighbors,

I would like to let you know about the upcoming hearing regarding Eversource's rate increases and their response to Tropical Storm Isaias.

At 10:30 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 27), the legislative Energy and Technology Committee will host an informational forum via Zoom. 

This hearing is expected to cover a far-ranging set of issues, from the role of state utility regulators and the process of setting rates to utility staffing levels and how the companies communicate with customers and municipalities during outages. 

Top Eversource and United Illuminating executives will participate. 

While the public cannot participate in the hearing, email comments are encouraged.

Watch on CT-N.com (live and on demand)

Submit testimony to ETtestimony@cga.ct.gov

Please reach out to me if you have any questions about this hearing. I will be sure to keep you updated on this matter.

Sincerely,