Information from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

• Eversource and UI Standard Service is the generation option for business customers who do not choose a licensed supplier.
• Licensed suppliers offer an alternative to Eversource and UI Standard Service Generation rates. You are not required to switch to a licensed supplier.
• Switching to a new supplier happens on your meter reading date.
• Eversource and UI must return small business customers to the Standard Service rate within 72 hours of the request.  Learn More.
• Supplier offers are categorized as either Fixed or Variable on the Rate Board. Be sure to check with the supplier about early termination fees.
• Contact PURA's Consumer Affairs Unit at 800-382-4586 with any questions about choosing a supplier.  Click here to submit an inquiry or complaint to PURA.

  Fixed Rate Plans

• Under a Fixed plan the generation rate must be Fixed for at least four complete billing cycles. Be sure to check with the supplier about the generation rate you will be charged when a Fixed plan ends.

  Variable Rate Plans

• Under Variable-Daily or Variable-Weekly plans the generation rate can increase/decrease during your billing cycle. The generation rate for business customers can increase any amount or percentage without being notified by your supplier.

In addition to licensing electric suppliers the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority issues a Certificate of Registration to electric aggregators.

What is an electric aggregator?

An electric aggregator gathers consumers for the purpose of negotiating the rate for generation service from an electric supplier.  An electric aggregator must negotiate with suppliers on behalf of the customers it represents. As such, an aggregator must act as the customer's agent. As a customer's agent, the aggregator may not simultaneously be an agent for one or more suppliers.

How does a registered aggregator differ from a licensed supplier?

Suppliers purchase the electricity that is provided to customers and bill for that electricity through either the customer's electric bill (commonly referred to as consolidated billing) or by directly billing the customer. Aggregators do not purchase electricity or bill for generation supply.  Instead, as noted above, aggregators gather consumers together for the purpose of negotiating the rate for generation from a supplier.

Why are aggregators allowed to post offers on Connecticut's Rate Board?

PURA oversees suppliers and aggregators and posts generally available rates to the Rate Board.  If an aggregator can offer a generally available rate to residential or business customers it may be posted to the Rate Board.

How do aggregators get paid?

Aggregators must act as the customer's agent.  As such, customers typically pay the aggregator for their service.

If I am paying an aggregator, who is my supplier?

Aggregators gather consumers and negotiate rates from suppliers on behalf of those customers.  The aggregator then selects the supplier and rate that is offered to its customers.  Customers who choose to work with an aggregator will be served through the supplier that is selected by the aggregator.

Will the name of the aggregator appear on my electric bill?

No.  Information on your bill will reflect the licensed supplier that is providing your generation service.

Past Business Standard Service Generation Rates

• The graphs show the trend in Standard Service generation rates for business customers.  Rates are rounded.  Complete rates are shown on the 'Rates Table' tab.
• In some years, Standard Service rates changed on January 1st and were fixed for one year.  One-year fixed rates appear on the graph as the same rate on January and July 1st.
• In some years, Standard Service rates changed on January and July 1st and were fixed for six months. Six-month fixed rates appear on the graph as different rates on January and July 1st.
• Standard Service rates are approved by PURA about 45 days before their effective date; around May 15th for rates in effect July 1st and around November 15th for rates in effect January 1st.

Standard Service Generation

• Standard Service is the generation supply option provided by Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) and is available to all residential customers. However, customers can choose a licensed supplier for their generation services which may lower their cost.
   
• Eversource and UI do not own electric generation plants or produce electricity.  Instead, they buy electricity in the marketplace to serve customers on Standard Service Generation.  So Standard Service Generation rates are based on the market price for electricity.

• Standard Service Generation rates change on January 1st and July 1st and are fixed for six months.
   
• Customers who wish to return to the Standard Service rate must contact Eversource or UI. Eversource and UI are required to switch residential customers back to the Standard Service rate within 72 hours of the request and will prorate your bill accordingly. Be sure to check with your supplier regarding cancellation fees that may apply. Learn more about returning to Standard Service Generation.
   
• You can compare Standard Service Generation rates to offers from licensed suppliers on Connecticut's Official Rate Board.  Click here to access the Rate Board.

• It is important to know that regardless of the electric supplier you choose, Eversource or UI will deliver your electricity, bill you for service, and respond to power outages. Only Eversource or UI can terminate your service
• If you have questions or need help with choosing an electric supplier contact the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's Consumer Affairs Unit at (800) 382-4586.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing A Supplier