Molly Ayala
Connecticut's electricity suppliers include Eversource Energy, The United Illuminating Company, and Constellation. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regulates the rates and services of Connecticut's two investor-owned electric distribution companies, Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company. Connecticut also has not-for-profit electric utilities that are locally owned and operated, which came together in 1976 to form the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eversource Energy (Eversource) |
| Other Names | Connecticut Light and Power Company |
| Investor-owned electric distribution company | Yes |
| Headquarters | Orange, Connecticut |
| Service Areas | Hartford, West Hartford, Bethel, Bristol, Cheshire, Danbury, Southington, Bridgeport, Stamford, and New Haven |
| Customer Service Number | 1-800-286-2000 |
| Credit & Collection Number | 1-800-286-2828 |
| Alternative Suppliers | Available |
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What You'll Learn
- The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regulates Connecticut's electric companies
- Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company are the state's two EDCs
- Connecticut's municipal electric utilities formed CMEEC in 1976
- Utility companies deliver electricity to homes
- Constellation is a leading electricity company in Connecticut
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regulates Connecticut's electric companies
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is responsible for regulating Connecticut's electric companies. PURA is a quasi-judicial agency that has regulated several essential industries and services in Connecticut since 1853. The agency was originally founded as the Board of Railroad Commissioners and has since undergone several name changes, including the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), before becoming the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in 2011.
PURA's primary role in Connecticut is to ensure that investor-owned utility companies, including electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications providers, offer safe, clean, reliable, and affordable services and infrastructure. The organization describes its role in Connecticut's electricity sector as "watching over competitive utility services to promote equity among competitors while customers reap the price and quality benefits of competition and are protected from unfair business practices."
One of PURA's major responsibilities is consumer protection. For example, in 2015, PURA banned the sale of variable rate plans in Connecticut to protect consumers from unexpected price spikes. PURA also works closely with the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) and legislators to ensure that suppliers educate their customers on the risks and benefits of different plans in clear and understandable language.
In addition to consumer protection, PURA oversees the rate-setting process for the Standard Service Offer (SSO) to ensure that consumers pay a fair price for their electricity. The SSO rate changes every six months, on January 1 and July 1, and is announced seven weeks in advance. PURA also monitors renewable energy and compliance with Renewable Portfolio Standards. As of 2018, Connecticut state law requires all electricity plans to include at least 25% renewable or green energy, with ongoing discussions to increase this requirement to 40% by 2030.
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Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company are the state's two EDCs
Connecticut's two EDCs (Electric Distribution Companies) are Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company. Both companies are responsible for providing electricity and related services to customers in the state, with a focus on safe and reliable power delivery.
Eversource Energy offers a range of programs to assist its customers, including those aimed at improving energy efficiency for businesses. The company is committed to helping its customers beyond just the delivery of electricity, natural gas, and water, with a defined process to restore services as quickly and safely as possible. Eversource Energy constructed the $350 million 345-kilovolt Bethel-Norwalk transmission line, improving the power grid's reliability in southwest Connecticut.
The United Illuminating Company (UI), based in Orange, Connecticut, was established in 1899. It provides electricity and related services to 325,000 customers in 17 towns and cities in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas. UI's history dates back to 1881 with the founding of the New Haven Electric Lighting Company. The company reorganized in 1883 as the New Haven Electric Company, which later acquired the Bridgeport Electric Light Company in 1899, becoming The United Illuminating Company. UI continues to own and operate the transmission and distribution infrastructure within its service territory. UI offers an energy assessment program to help customers lower costs by making their homes more energy-efficient. The company also provides resources and updates during severe weather, such as storm readiness tips and power restoration status.
Both Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company have collaborated on projects to enhance the reliability of the power grid in southwest Connecticut. Together, they completed the 69-mile (112 km) Middletown-Norwalk transmission line, a $900 million project. These efforts demonstrate the companies' commitment to ensuring safe and reliable power delivery to their customers in Connecticut.
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Connecticut's municipal electric utilities formed CMEEC in 1976
Connecticut's municipal electric utilities formed CMEEC (Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative) in 1976. CMEEC is a public power entity that provides electric services to several municipal utilities and participating wholesale customers located in Connecticut. CMEEC is owned by municipal utilities in the cities of Groton, Norwich, the Borough of Jewett City, Bozrah Light and Power, and the Second and Third Taxing Districts of Norwalk, Connecticut.
CMEEC consistently provides affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to its members and customers. It supplies power to its members and wholesale customers through various sources, including fossil-fuelled generators, nuclear plants, and hydroelectric stations in Connecticut. Additionally, it sources power from massive power dams in Canada and New York.
The Connecticut Transmission Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative ("TRANSCO") was created by CMEEC in 2009. CMEEC provides wholesale power and related services to member utilities, the Mohegan Tribal Utility Authority, and major electric customers in and beyond Connecticut.
Through its work, CMEEC ensures that its municipal utility members can provide electricity to their residential, commercial, industrial, and small business customers across the state. CMEEC's reliable energy procurement, production, and transmission capabilities, along with its specialty services, have made it a trusted energy provider in Connecticut and beyond.
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Utility companies deliver electricity to homes
Utility companies play a crucial role in delivering electricity to homes, ensuring a constant power supply to meet our daily needs. The process of electricity delivery is complex and involves multiple steps, requiring a large-scale physical structure known as the power grid. This grid comprises various interconnected systems, managed by entities called balancing authorities, which ensure a delicate balance between electricity demand and supply to prevent blackouts.
Electricity typically travels a long distance to reach your home, often originating from generating stations that may be hundreds of miles away. These generating stations use sources such as solar, wind, coal, natural gas, or water to produce electricity through massive generators. The electricity generated is then transmitted through power lines, which you may observe as poles and wires along highways or near homes.
To facilitate long-distance transmission, transformers play a crucial role in increasing voltage levels, enabling electricity to travel efficiently across vast distances. Once the electricity reaches its destination, substation transformers step down the voltage, making it safer for use in homes and businesses. The power grid's interconnected nature allows for a shared electricity supply, ensuring reliability and economic benefits.
In some states, consumers have the option to purchase electricity through a power marketer, with local distribution utilities handling the delivery. Smart grids and smart devices further enhance the efficiency of the electrical system, helping consumers manage their energy use and costs. Additionally, utility companies invest in maintenance programs and infrastructure to maintain a reliable power supply, including vegetation management and inspections of lines and substations.
In Connecticut, for example, Eversource is responsible for delivering electricity to customers, focusing on safe and quick restoration during outages. The state also has initiatives like EnergizeCT, which involves local electric and gas utilities working together with the Connecticut Green Bank to promote energy efficiency.
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Constellation is a leading electricity company in Connecticut
In Connecticut, Constellation offers a variety of energy plans to suit different needs and budgets. Customers can choose from fixed-rate or variable month-to-month plans, with the option to select renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Constellation also provides customized energy plans and competitive electric rates, ensuring that Connecticut residents can find an energy plan that fits their specific requirements and financial situation.
One of the key advantages of Constellation as an energy supplier is its commitment to customer service. The company offers personal and timely responses to any queries, and its 90-day guarantee allows customers to switch if they are unsatisfied. Additionally, through the Community Champions program, Constellation customers can nominate local Connecticut causes to receive small grants, with the company having donated over $400,000 to non-profit groups across the country.
Constellation is also a leader in sustainable energy solutions, powering more than 16 million homes and businesses with clean power. The company's generation fleet of nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar facilities provides 10 percent of all clean power on the U.S. grid, helping to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. Constellation's innovative clean energy offerings enable customers to achieve their climate goals, with an upcoming 24/7 carbon-free energy matching product in the works.
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Frequently asked questions
The two main investor-owned electric companies in Connecticut are Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company. There is also the not-for-profit Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), which is owned and governed by six member utilities.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is responsible for regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's electric distribution companies.
A utility company delivers electricity to your home. They own the power lines that deliver energy to your home.
You can compare Connecticut electric suppliers and switch suppliers with no interruption to your service. You can compare rates, services, and contract terms to find the best option for your needs and budget.
