NPU: Low-income electric customers saved $309K with discount rate program

Nov. 16—NORWICH — The first year of Norwich Public Utilities' discount rate for low-income electricity customers exceeded the utility's expectations for the number of customers who stuck with the program requirements, NPU officials said.

NPU was the first electric utility in the state to launch a discount rate, called the Community Assistance Rate for low-income customers in November 2023.

NPU reported this week that in the first full year, 2,152 qualifying electricity customers enrolled in the program and saved a combined total of $309,409 on their electric bills. NPU also offered an additional 10% savings for qualifying customers who signed up for automatic bill payments, and 192 customers signed up.

Jeff Brining, NPU customer service division manager, said the numbers matched what utility officials had hoped for last year, when the cost of the discount was worked into the new three-year rate structure put in place Nov. 1, 2023. But he said more customers continued to meet the requirements of the program — that they remain current on electric bills — than anticipated.

"It's always nice to see when it achieves its goal," Brining said. "That's a great launch pad going forward. A lot of these programs have inertia to them after a while."

NPU electric customers with incomes below 60% of the state's median household income qualify for the Community Assistance Rate. Customers can apply for the program at the NPU customer service center, 173 North Main St., and their qualifications will be verified by the Thames Valley Council for Community Action.

TVCCA has staff on duty at the NPU customer service center to review applications for the NPU Community Assistance Rate and for other grant funded energy assistance programs. Last year, TVCCA qualified NPU customers to receive more than $1 million in energy assistance, NPU spokesman Chris Riley said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for 2024-25, individuals earning $45,505 would qualify for the discount. A family of two earning $59,507, family of three, $73,509, and a family of six earning $115,514 would also qualify for the NPU discount rate.

The discount is capped at 1,000 kWh per month, which NPU hopes will encourage families to practice energy conservation.

Customers must reapply for the NPU discount rate each year. Brining said NPU will contact all customers who participated during the first year and remind them to reapply. NPU also has launched a public awareness campaign, including billboard ads in downtown Norwich, to attract more potential applicants.

"This initiative has been a complete success, and we are committed to providing this critical assistance going forward," Brining said.