Consumers Could See Lower Bills As PURA Approves Rate Adjustments

HARTFORD, CT — Customers may get a little relief from electricity bills, depending on their monthly use, Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials  announced earlier this week.

Electricity rates in Connecticut will drop by about 14% starting May 1, under a rate reduction approved by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The cut is expected to save the average customer about $30 to $34 per month.

The decrease stems from long-term energy policies, including fixed-price nuclear contracts and recent legislation aimed at lowering costs, with savings expected to last through at least September.

“Connecticut ratepayers are about to see some welcome relief on their electric bills, due in large part to the difficult decisions made when electricity prices were low,” Lamont said. “The rate reduction residents are seeing today is the result of sound policy work – long-term contracts and legislation designed to produce lasting results – not quick fixes geared for headlines.”

According to Lamont, nuclear contracts like these saved $250 million in 2025, and already more than $200 million in 2026.

“Lower public benefits charges drive the decreases announced in today’s rulings, particularly those tied to nuclear energy contracts with Millstone and Seabrook,” according to PURA.  “An additional contributing factor to the reduced rates is the decrease in hardship protection costs, including uncollectible debt and arrearage forgiveness programs.”

While state leaders highlighted the rate decrease as relief for consumers, utility officials warned that the impact may be short-lived and less noticeable during peak summer months.

“If all program and contract costs stay the same, customers will see a significant increase to their bill next year when the refund of this overcollection ends,” said Eversource spokesperson Sarah Paduano. “With usage increasing on average by 35% during the summer months due to air conditioning, it is possible some customers may not see a significant difference in their overall bill, even with the rate reduction.”

Republican lawmakers, though, warned the cut could lead to higher costs down the line.

“The $30 that you’re saving today is only going to be compounded with more cost,” said Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, the House minority leader. “Because this administration has failed to negotiate a deal with Eversource and UI to recover storm costs and that is the biggest tragedy of SB 4 (a consumer privacy and protection bill).”

State officials, however, pushed back on those concerns, saying steps are already being taken to prevent future spikes in costs tied to storm recovery.

“In terms of storms, in this public benefits decision from PURA today there was another $100 million that could have been returned to customers to make this even more of a credit on May 1st,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Kate Dykes. “But that $100 million has been reserved to apply toward the eventual final approved cost of storm costs.”

Lamont echoed that view.

“We’re making a $100 million down payment on storm damages cost, some which go back a long time ago,” he said. “It will be a lot less of a shock because we’re making the down payment.”