Attorney General Tong Statement Regarding PURA Final Decision Decreasing Rates for Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas

09/16/2026

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong released the following statement regarding final decisions issued this week by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority approving rate cuts for both Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG).

The companies, owned by Avangrid, had collectively sought over $60 million in rate hikes in 2023. However, after reviewing the companies’ cases, PURA in 2024 authorized rate decreases for both companies, dropping revenue by $24 million for CNG, or approximately 5.4 percent, lowering bills by approximately $7-8 per month. For SCG, PURA decreased revenue by $11 million, or approximately 2.5 percent for SCG, lowering bills by approximately $3.50-4.00 per month as well. CNG had sought a $19.7 million increase. SCG had sought a $43 million increase.

Both companies continued to fight for higher rates and returned to PURA on remand. In a draft decision in July, PURA further decreased rates for both companies, by an additional $1.8 million for CNG and an additional $595,000 for SCG.

Today’s final decision cements the draft rate cut for CNG. For SCG, PURA increased the company’s revenue by $400,000, still significantly lowering revenue for the company.

“PURA was right from the start to slash these rates. Connecticut families cannot afford to bankroll padded profits and unsupported and unnecessary expenses. We combed through every line-item in these demands and we called out page after page of unneeded costs. And don’t forget, CNG was over-collecting millions of dollars from Connecticut families before they had the gall to ask for more. PURA got this one right,” said Attorney General Tong.

The CNG rate decrease follows an earnings report issued in 2023 showing that CNG over-collected $8 million from Connecticut families and businesses. While half of the over-earning was returned to ratepayers to offset winter heating bills, approximately $4 million was distributed to shareholders. Following that disclosure, Attorney General Tong, Consumer Counsel Claire E. Coleman, Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement submitted a joint petition to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority seeking a new rate hearing to drive down costs for consumers.

Assistant Attorneys General Caroline McCormack and John Wright and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.

Twitter: @AGWilliamTong

Facebook: CT Attorney General

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov

Consumer Inquiries:

860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.