These new laws are part of a legislative package called the Electric Supplier Consumers Bill of Rights. The package introduced in the legislative session of the 2014 General Assembly was devised as a response to consumer complaints about spiking prices and a lack of clear information regarding rates and contract terms in Connecticuts electric supplier market.
According to a press release, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority received 1,300 consumer complaints about electric suppliers this year.
Information is power, and Connecticuts electric customers deserve to know exactly what they are signing up for when shopping for supplier service, said Duff. This bill of rights for consumers will make our electric marketplace both more transparent and more competitive.
Malloy echoed this view.
This bill of rights will help put an end to misleading and deceptive marketing practices by giving Connecticut consumers the information and resources they need to shop around for the best price, choose the electric retailer that works best for them and, ultimately, to save money on their monthly electricity bill, said Malloy.
In June, Malloy signed into law Public Act No. 14-75, which implements many provisions in the consumer bill of rights. These include the requirement for suppliers to disclose comparative rates on consumers bills reduce or eliminate termination fees, and switch customers back to standard service within 48 hours of their request.
The law also requires PURA to issue new regulations within a year to target abusive sales practices and it authorizes funds to be used by PURA to increase enforcement staff.
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