How electricity choice works in Connecticut
Connecticut has two investor-owned electric distribution companies (EDCs): Eversource (The Connecticut Light and Power Company) and The United Illuminating Company. Eligible customers of those companies may purchase electricity supply from a supplier licensed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), or remain on Standard Service, the default supply provided if you do not choose a competitive supplier. The utility still delivers the power, maintains the lines, and handles outages. Only the utility can terminate electric service.
Official customer information is on PURA’s Choose a Supplier page. Energize Connecticut hosts the official rate board used to review licensed suppliers. Peoples Power Choice can review a recent bill and present current fixed-rate options. We do not publish rates here, and we do not quote variable or teaser prices.
Which utilities are in the competitive market
Connecticut’s two investor-owned electric distribution companies are:
- Eversource (The Connecticut Light and Power Company)
- The United Illuminating Company (UI)
Municipal electric utilities — including systems such as Groton, Norwich, and Wallingford — generally are not in the same Eversource and UI shopping market. If your bill is from a municipal utility, tell us in the chat or call 855-330-3580 and we will be clear about what we can and cannot do.
What your utility still does
Your electric distribution company remains responsible for delivering electricity, maintaining the local system, metering, billing for delivery, and outage or emergency response. Only the utility can terminate electric service. If the lights go out, you call the utility, not the competitive supplier. A supplier provides the supply portion of the bill, not outage response. You may receive one combined bill or two bills, depending on the supplier.
How a broker helps with shopping and renewals
Peoples Power Choice is independent. We shop licensed suppliers for fixed-rate contracts, help you compare an offer with your current supply arrangement — including Standard Service — and watch contract end dates and automatic-renewal terms. Connecticut customers should always ask whether a price is fixed or variable, how long the term lasts, whether the contract auto-renews, and whether there is an early-termination fee. We quote fixed rates only.
Start a chat with Optimus — it will open already set to Connecticut — upload a recent bill, or call 855-330-3580. A specialist follows up with current fixed-rate options only. Leads go to info@peoplespowerchoice.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Connecticut?
Yes, if Eversource or United Illuminating delivers your power. You may choose a supplier licensed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) or stay on Standard Service. Municipal electric utilities are generally not in that same shopping market.
What is Standard Service?
Standard Service is the default electricity supply your electric distribution company provides if you do not choose a competitive supplier. Delivery of the power still comes from that same company either way.
If I switch suppliers, who do I call for an outage?
Call your electric distribution company — Eversource or United Illuminating. The utility still delivers the electricity, handles outages, and is the only company that can terminate electric service. A competitive supplier provides the supply portion of the bill, not outage response.
How does a Connecticut energy broker help, and do you show rates here?
Peoples Power Choice reviews your bill and current contract dates, then presents fixed-rate options from licensed suppliers. We do not publish or invent rates on this page or in the Ask Optimus chat. Start a Connecticut chat, upload a bill, or call 855-330-3580.
Official sources
These are the government and utility references used for this page. They are the best place to confirm whether your address can shop.
- Connecticut PURA — Choose a Supplier — official customer information on choosing a licensed supplier
- Energize Connecticut — about the rate board — official rate board used to review licensed suppliers
- Connecticut PURA — electric — PURA electric overview, including the two investor-owned electric distribution companies