PURA approves customer rate credits, compensation for prolonged power outages

Photo | Eversource An Eversource crew works to repair damage from Tropical Storm Isaias.

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By Zachary Vasile

State energy regulators today approved the granting of rate credits and compensation for spoiled food and medicine for Connecticut electricity customers who are left without power for a prolonged period of time.

Under new rules adopted by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, ratepayers would receive a $25 rate credit for each 24-hour period they are without electricity following an outage of 96 consecutive hours, or four days. Those credits would continue to accumulate for each day after until power is eventually restored and would be applied to the balance of a customer’s account.

The provisions allow for customers to receive $250 in compensation for food or medicine that spoils due to a power outage lasting longer than 96 hours. Ratepayers would have to file claims to receive the money and, unlike the rate credits, the funds would be disbursed directly by check.

Eversource Energy and United Illuminating Co. would have two months to make the credits available.

PURA also added a waiver process through which the utilities can seek relief from providing customer credits for reasons such as line worker safety or the conditions on the ground following a major storm or emergency.

The credit and compensation measures take effect on July 1, meaning that Connecticut electricity customers will not be able to make claims connected to outages during Tropical Storm Isaias last year.