Press Releases
05/02/2022
Attorney General Tong Urges Scrutiny of Eversource Smart Meter Plan
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong filed comments with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority seeking scrutiny of an Eversource proposal to charge ratepayers $620 million for new smart meter technology.The comments do not oppose the transition to smart meter technology, which can aid storm recovery and help monitor and manage energy consumption. Rather, the comments question whether Eversource’s plan benefits all ratepayers and makes economic sense -- adding up to $5 per month to residential electric bills in the coming years. Eversource is seeking to replace nearly one million meters, regardless of whether they are still within their twenty-year usable life—adding new meter costs while ratepayers are still paying for the old meters. In contrast, United Illuminating has been strategically phasing in smart meter technology since 2010 with no material impact on rates.
“Eversource’s plan for smart meters appears to be needlessly wasteful and expensive. United Illuminating has been able to invest in smart meters without nickel and diming Connecticut families. Eversource needs to modernize their energy infrastructure without ignoring consumer needs,” said Attorney General Tong.
Click here for the full comments.
Assistant Attorneys General Lauren Bidra, John Wright and Consumer Protection Section Chief Michael Wertheimer are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
- Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
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