Connecticut electric utilities United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power have improved their satisfaction ratings with residential customers, although they remain some of the worst rated utilities in the nation, according to the annual report from J.D. Power and Associates.
In a state with the second highest electric rates in the nation, the two utilities expect their ratings to be lower than other areas with better electricity rates. Last year, CL&P had the lowest customer rating of any utility of large size in the United States; United Illuminated had the fourth lowest of mid-sized utilities.
This year, CL&P improved its customer rating to 588 from 579 last year. The Berlin-based electric utility had the fifth lowest rating of any large-size utility in 2011. This is the second year in a row CL&P improved its customer rating, up from 571 in 2009.
United Illuminating improved its customer rating to 586 from 584 last year. The New Haven-based electric utility remains the fourth lowest rated mid-sized utility in the country in 2011. Its customer rating is still down from 2009, when it scored 587.
This survey of residential customer is separate from the survey J.D. Power conducts of utilities’ business customers.
In the business customer report released in February, the two Connecticut utilities fared slightly better. CL&P scored a 616 rating with customers, making it the fourth worst large-sized utility in the Northeast. United Illuminating had a 617 rating, the third worst mid-sized utility in the region.
