Eversource customers to pay higher generation rates starting July 1

Eversource and United Illuminating customers will start paying new electricity rates starting July 1.

The revised standard service generation rates, which will be in place until the end of the year, are 12.050 cents per kilowatt-hour for Eversource and 10.620 cents per kilowatt-hour for UI.  

The current residential standard service rates are 11.484 cents per kilowatt hour for Eversource and 10.673 cents per kilowatt hour for UI. 

For a typical residential customer using 700 kilowatts per month, the change would be an increase of $4 per month with Eversource and a decrease of about 35 cents per month with UI, according to a spokesman for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Standard service generation rates are adjusted twice a year, in January and July, based on a competitive bidding process overseen by PURA. 

According to PURA, the supply-side increase is due to natural gas prices, which remain at historic highs. Natural gas is the primary fuel source for New England’s generation fleet.

PURA encourages electric customers to use efficient cooling systems and proper insulation. Programs to help offset the upfront costs of energy efficient upgrades can be found through EnergizeCT.

Both Eversource and UI offer payment plans to smooth out monthly fluctuations in utility expenses and to assist with past due payments.