OCC news and information

Consumer Counsel Coleman released the following statement regarding the letter of intent Eversource filed today seeking a half-billion dollar distribution rate increase.

Today, the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) filed a comprehensive brief with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in Docket No. 25-12-13 challenging Eversource Energy’s request to recover $1.28 billion in catastrophic storm costs, urging PURA to significantly reduce the amount charged to ratepayers after uncovering pervasive errors, weak oversight and repeated instances of imprudent decision making throughout Eversource’s filing.

Following discovery of a massive mathematical error that overlooked nearly half a billion dollars in projected rate increases, Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Claire Counsel Coleman today filed a joint petition urging the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider the recent decision approving the sale of Aquarion Water Company which will significantly increase water bills and weaken oversight over customer rates.

Today, Consumer Advocates of New England (CANE) – a coalition of statutorily designated ratepayer advocates from New England – applauded a recent decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reducing the allowed return on equity (ROE) earned on transmission projects.

Today, Consumer Counsel Coleman issued the following statement regarding the reconsideration of Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) Final Decision in Docket No. 25-04-03, which approves the acquisition of Aquarion Water Company (AWC) by a new Aquarion Water Authority (AWA).

Today, Consumer Counsel Coleman issued the following statement regarding the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) Reconsidered Final Decision in Docket No. 24-12-01 where Yankee Gas Company’s requested reconsideration of PURA’s Original Final Decision has resulted in a total increase of approximately $87 million to the company’s approved revenue requirement.

Today, Consumer Counsel Coleman issued the following statement regarding the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (“PURA”) Final Decision in Docket No. 24-10-04 where United Illuminating’s requested reconsideration of PURA’s previous decision has resulted in approximately $2 million more than PURA approved in October -- a total increase to UI’s revenue requirement prior to its initial application of $67,980,438, which is applicable to the rate year November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026.

Today, Attorney General Tong and Consumer Counsel Coleman applaud the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s approval of their jointly filed agreement in Charter’s acquisition of Cox Communications’ Connecticut operations. PURA’s approval makes enforceable a comprehensive package of consumer protections designed to strengthen pricing transparency, improve service reliability and outage reporting, safeguard customer rights, and invest $3 million in digital access and literacy across the state.

United Illuminating (UI) and Eversource standard service supply rates are going up. Those customers will pay higher bills beginning in January.

Today, OCC released our July 2025 newsletter detailing important information for regulated utility consumers and updates on key proceedings, recent changes in law and how customers can get involved.