PURA launches discounted gas bill plan to help keep households warm

Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has introduced a program designed to help lower-income households pay natural gas heating bills.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, or PURA, is rolling out a five-tier low-income discount rate for gas heating bills.

The program is intended for customers of The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Connecticut Natural Gas, and Yankee Gas Services Company.

According to PURA, households with income at or below 60% of the state median may qualify for discounts ranging from 4% to 71%.

The largest discount is reserved for the lowest-income customers, and as much as 105 hundred cubic feet of gas usage can receive the reduced rate.

PURA said the program has two primary objectives. One is energy affordability, keeping energy costs at no more than 6% of annual household income. The other is reducing uncollectible expenses for all ratepayers by limiting service shutoffs and reconnects.

The new program builds on the five-tier low-income discount rate plan PURA created for electric customers of Eversource and United Illuminating.

To protect all ratepayers, PURA says the total cost of the gas program is expected to remain at 2% or less of each company's annual revenue.

PURA expects eligible customers to be enrolled by March 2027, and those with questions are being directed to their gas company's customer service department.