UI Offers Assistance to Customers Challenged by Rising Energy Supply Costs

Supply chain issues and inflation have raised energy supply costs in Connecticut

ORANGE, CT — February 17, 2022 — United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., would like to remind customers of the companies’ energy assistance programs that are available to help customers manage higher energy costs cause by higher energy supply costs in the region this winter.

During the winter months, there is a high demand in New England for natural gas to heat homes and generate electricity. In fact, roughly 52% of the generation of electricity in New England is from natural gas. For many years, proposals have been abandoned regarding natural gas expansion for power generation needs in New England. During the New England winter, the ISO-NE wholesale power system is heavily dependent upon liquefied natural gas (LNG) and even oil and coal to supplement the additional demand on the gas system which was built and expanded over the years to reliably serve residential, commercial and industrial customer needs.

“We encourage customers to take advantage of the many energy assistance programs offered through UI,” said President & CEO Frank Reynolds. “This month, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and I stood in front of CNG in East Hartford to discuss the critical role our Federal Government plays in controlling rising energy supply costs. This moment should be a constant reminder that we need to significantly invest in our existing infrastructure to avoid these annual challenges.”

UI continues to offer the following energy assistance programs to their customers during these challenging times.

UI Energy Assistance Programs

  • Forgiveness Matching Payment Program – Residential customers covered by the Winter Protection Program and who heat by electricity may qualify for UI’s Forgiveness Matching Payment Program. If you qualify, we will work with you to develop a monthly budget agreement. If you keep that agreement, we will match your payments to reduce your back balance.
  • UI Matching Payment Plan – This program helps low-income customers maintain year-round service and pay down delinquent balances by company-matched dollars. A payment arrangement plan helps qualified hardship customers pay past due electric bills. Under MaPP, if payments are current, a past due balance can be "forgiven" over time.
  • Called to Active Duty? – You may qualify for temporary suspension of collective action and disconnection of your electric service if you are called into active duty in the U.S. military.
  • Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) – Through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, United Illuminating administers the HES-IE program. This weatherization program is designed to help customers with limited income or financial needs reduce their energy bills.
  • Winter Protection Program – UI offers winter protection to all our customers that qualify. If you meet eligibility requirements, we will not turn off your electricity between November 1 and May 1. The Winter Protection Plan must be renewed annually, beginning in October. To prevent your service from being shut off after May 1, contact UI to setup a payment arrangement.
  • Payment Plan Options – UI will work with you if you are having trouble paying your electric bill. We offer convenient payment plans, and our budget billing option allows you to pay a fixed amount each month. Call our Customer Care Center at 800 7 CALL UI (800.722.5584) and the automated system will assist you in setting up payment arrangements or you can speak one of our Customer Care representatives during normal business hours.
    • Criteria for Arrangements:
      • Account must be past due 30 days or more
      • An initial payment is required to set up arrangements
      • Customers are allowed 2 payment arrangements within one year
      • Arrangements can be made for a period of 4-12 months, depending on your individual circumstances

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About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit uinet.com.

About AVANGRID: About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $39 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 7,000 people and has been recognized by Forbes and Just Capital as one of the 2021 JUST 100 companies - a list of America's best corporate citizens - and was ranked number one within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.   

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