Conn. AG Wants Better Transparency On Electric Company Bills

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Connecticut's chief prosecutor is working to crack down on unscrupulous electric companies who take advantage of consumers with low teaser rates.

As WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported, many electric companies lure customers in with cheap introductory rates and then mark them up.

There are some responsible suppliers offering low electric rates, Schneidau noted. But Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said many consumers find themselves paying much more than what Connecticut Light & Power charges.

"When you sign up thinking you're getting cheaper power and you are getting cheaper power for about a month, and then the rates go up," he said. "We identified more than 10 firms who are charging between 17 and 25 cents per kilowatt-hour."

CL&P charges 9.25 cents per kilowatt-hour, Schneidau noted.

Jepsen said consumers can switch back to CL&P, but some unscrupulous suppliers will charge a cancellation fee.

It's estimated that tens of thousands of Connecticut consumers have switched electric suppliers in an effort to cut their monthly bill, Schneidau reported.

The AG has legislation pending that will bring transparency to help consumers looking to make a switch in provider.

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