To the Members of PURA,
I am writing to express my deep frustration and outrage concerning the recent drastic increase in the Public Benefits Charge on my Eversource electric bill. This charge has not only significantly inflated my monthly expenses but has also left me questioning the transparency, equity, and management of these supposed "benefits” as well as the competency and legitimacy of the state employees that allow such a thing to pass.
Firstly, the increase in the Public Benefits portion of my bill is nothing short of shocking. We're talking about an increase that has turned what was once a manageable expense into a burdensome fee, with some bills seeing increases of up to 490%! How can such a drastic escalation be justified without clear communication and justification to the ratepayers? The lack of foresight or action from PURA in managing these costs has resulted in what can only be described as rate shock for thousands of Connecticut residents.
Secondly, the composition of this charge is both confusing and infuriating. From what I understand, a large portion of this increase is to fund a contract with Millstone Nuclear Plant, which was hailed as a move to secure clean energy but at what cost to the consumer? It's unacceptable that we, the ratepayers, are now bearing the brunt of this deal in such an abrupt and costly manner. Additionally, the recovery of unpaid bills from the COVID-19 era should not fall on the shoulders of those who have consistently paid their dues on time.
Moreover, the way these costs are being collected—over a short, intensive period rather than spread out—smacks of poor planning or, worse, a deliberate move to burden consumers. This approach does not reflect the interests of those you are supposed to serve. It's clear to me that this is more about covering costs than considering consumer welfare.
I demand greater transparency, accountability, and a reevaluation of these charges.
Here's what I propose:
Immediate Review: Conduct an urgent review of how these costs are calculated and managed to ensure they are not disproportionately affecting ratepayers.
Public Consultation: Engage with the public before imposing such significant changes. The lack of consultation is a democratic deficit that must be addressed.
Justify Each Component: Provide detailed breakdowns and justifications for each component of the Public Benefits Charge. Consumers have a right to know exactly what they're paying for.
Until then, the Public Benefits charge should be discontinued.
Your role is to regulate utilities in a way that is fair and beneficial to all residents of Connecticut, not to serve as an uncritical conduit for utility companies to pass on their financial obligations. If PURA continues to fail in this regard, I will not hesitate to join others in seeking legislative or legal remedies to ensure consumer interests are not trampled upon.
I expect a prompt response outlining how PURA plans to address this issue.
