11/03/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/03/2021 08:29
Company urges customers to take action now while programs like UniteCT are available
BERLIN, Conn. - With global demand for natural gas soaring, gas and electricity prices for the upcoming winter heating season are on the rise. After hitting 10-year lows during the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of natural gas has risen significantly - impacting customers nationwide and across the globe. The driving factors include an increase in global demand during the ongoing economic recovery and a significant drop in U.S. gas supply due to a number of issues including the pandemic and extreme weather in gas-producing states.
In November, the average Eversource natural gas residential heating customer could see a 14%, or $30, increase on their total bill as compared to their average monthly winter heating bill in 2020. Because the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) rate is adjusted monthly, customers can expect to see incremental changes throughout the heating season.
The increasing cost of natural gas will also impact the cost of electricity.
The cost of electricity changes twice a year in Connecticut for Eversource customers. Eversource will file this week new cost of electricity rates applicable to customer bills beginning January 1, 2022. Eversource and other utilities do not earn a profit on the cost of electricity in Connecticut and charge customers only what the company pays generators for electricity. The cost of electricity will likely rise beginning on January 1.
Eversource wants customers to know it is critically important for them to take action now.
"With supply constraints, extreme weather and other challenges related to the pandemic driving up natural gas prices across the globe, our customers do have options to better manage their own energy use and to help pay their energy bills," said Eversource Executive Vice President, Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner. "Connecticut's assistance programs are some of the best in the country and we urge customers to take advantage of options like UniteCT and COVID-19 payment plans while those options are still available."
Customers are urged to prepare now for higher-than-normal winter bills by taking advantage of programs like Connecticut's UniteCT and Eversource's energy efficiency solutions and payment plan options.
Help is available now to pay energy bills
Customers can also learn more about payment programs and enroll online at Eversource.com/BillHelp. Information on energy efficiency programs is available at Eversource.com.
Programs include:
Things customers can do now to save energy:
Additional tips for keeping energy costs down in the winter:
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek 's list of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2021 and recognized as one of America's Most JUST Companies. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity to 1.27 million customers in 149 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 246,000 customers in 74 communities, and supplies water to approximately 216,000 customers in 52 communities across Connecticut. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally-recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.