Press Releases
12/20/2021
Attorney General Tong and Consumer Counsel Statements on $1.8 Million Civil Penalty Over Eversource Marketing Tactics
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and Interim Consumer Counsel Claire E. Coleman issued the following statements after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority recommended a $1.8 million civil penalty over Eversource’s marketing tactics. Attorney General Tong and the Office of Consumer Counsel had filed a petition with PURA seeking an investigation following media reports that Eversource was using high pressure tactics to entice consumers to convert to natural gas.
“These high-pressure tactics were deceptive and misleading and beyond unacceptable for a regulated utility service,” said Attorney General Tong. “This penalty sends a strong message that these aggressive and illegal marketing tactics will not be tolerated. My office continues to explore additional action that may be warranted under our consumer protection statutes, and stands ready to use the full weight of our authority to protect Connecticut consumers. Families pay far too much for their energy already to be duped into decisions and investments without full facts and information.”
"Eversource's marketing utterly failed to comply with Connecticut law and PURA's penalty makes that explicitly clear," said Interim Consumer Counsel Claire E. Coleman. "Consumers deserve to be treated fairly and honestly when contacted by a utility company regarding potential services. Eversource's conduct here fell far below my office's expectations in that regard. Eversource must make it abundantly clear that it will change its practices and work hard to regain the trust of Connecticut consumers."
A copy the joint AG/OCC petition can be found here.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
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