PURA hearing focuses on how to move 10% low‑income discount customers into new five‑tier LIDR; utilities give cost estimates

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority convened an evidentiary hearing to decide how electric distribution companies should treat customers currently enrolled in the 10% low‑income discount rate (LIDR) after PURA ordered a five‑tier structure of 5%, 15%, 20%, 40% and 50%.

Hearing officer Kate Keenan opened the session and said the proceeding would address enrollment and implementation questions for customers now on the 10% tier and for customers identified by the Department of Social Services (DSS) before full five‑tier DSS matching is available. The hearing featured presentations from United Illuminating/Avangrid (UI/Avangrid) and Eversource, followed by cross‑examination from Authority staff and intervenors.

Avangrid (UI) witnesses walked through monthly enrollment charts and described operational limits in their billing system. Avangrid said customers keep a 12‑month LIDR enrollment period unless they renew during the renewal windows, and that the company can identify the specific customers who enrolled in each month and project when their 12‑month periods expire. Avangrid recommended staging the transition so existing customers are not downgraded mid‑period:…