Suzio: Electricity suppliers want costs for their errors passed on to CT consumers
October 31, 2018Senator Suzio Blasts Retail Electric Supplier Response
to Proposed PURA Decision
Electricity suppliers object to notice of potential billing errors
Electricity suppliers want costs for their errors passed on to consumers
State Senator Len Suzio, who in February exposed systemic errors in consumer electricity bills overcharging Connecticut consumers, blasted the response of the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) to the proposed Final Decision of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
“It’s absolutely outrageous,” Suzio said. “After acknowledging systemic errors in consumers monthly electric billing systems, the electricity suppliers object to the requirement to disclose to consumers the potential for errors in their bills. Moreover, the electricity suppliers want to pass on the costs of fixing their billing errors to Connecticut consumers. The electricity suppliers don’t want consumers to know the potential for overcharges in their bills.”
Suzio pointed out that on page 16 of RESA’s Oct. 29 response (attached), RESA states that “costs should be allocated to all Connecticut residential ratepayers.”
“Why should Connecticut consumers pay for the mistakes the electricity suppliers made in their own billing systems?” Suzio asked. “This shows that electricity suppliers put profits ahead of the people they are supposed to serve. First, the electricity suppliers downplay their mistakes. Then, they object to exposing their mistakes. Finally, they want consumers to pay for their mistakes. They can’t be serious! I call upon PURA to summarily reject the RESA objections and enforce Connecticut laws and regulations to protect consumers. If this is the attitude of electricity suppliers, it may be time for the Legislature to reconsider this program which was intended to benefit Connecticut consumers. I intend to urge the legislature to hold hearings about the program and the behavior of the electricity suppliers.”
Suzio noted that data compiled by the Office of Consumer Counsel show that more than 70% of Connecticut ratepayers are paying more than they should to third-party electricity suppliers. He said the billing systems send unreliable information with the potential for overcharging thousands of consumers, yet the suppliers downplay their mistakes and want Connecticut consumers to pay for the costs to correct their faulty billing systems.
“Enough is enough,” Suzio said. “It’s time to crackdown on this abuse of Connecticut consumers.”
Sen. Suzio represents Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown and Rockfall. On the web: www.SenatorSuzio.com .