Eversource Tries to Soften the Blow: But Are Their Summer Rate “Options” Just a Distraction?

Let’s be real—nobody wants to open a utility bill during a heatwave and see numbers that make your jaw drop. And that’s exactly what Eversource customers are bracing for this summer. The power giant just rolled out a list of “options” they say are meant to help ratepayers deal with rising electricity bills. But let’s not get it twisted—what they’re calling “help” might just be well-packaged damage control. Here’s the breakdown of what they’re offering and what people really need to know. The “Options” on the Table Eversource is pushing out a menu of programs to give customers “more control” over their bills as the summer heat kicks in. But when you dig into it, you’ll see these aren’t solutions—they’re just a slightly slower ride to the same painful destination. Here’s what they’re dangling: Budget Billing: A fixed monthly payment based on your annual usage. Sounds nice until you realize it doesn’t lower your total cost—it just spreads the pain over 12 months. Payment Plans: For people already behind or struggling, they’ll let you spread out your balance. But again—interest might apply, and the debt doesn’t disappear. Energy Efficiency Rebates: Yeah, they’ll give you a couple bucks back for upgrading your appliances, but you’ve gotta spend hundreds or thousands up front to save maybe $20 a month. Income-Based Programs: Some assistance for low-income households is available, but the hoops you have to jump through are real—and a lot of folks don’t even know these programs exist, let alone how to apply. It’s all framed as a way to “empower” the customer. But ask yourself this: why are people needing so many options in the first place? Shouldn't affordable energy be a right—not a luxury? Let’s Talk About Why Rates Are So Damn High We’ve heard it all before: “global supply issues,” “rising fuel costs,” “infrastructure investment,” blah blah blah. And while some of that might hold water, the bigger question is this—why do utility companies keep reporting record profits while working families get crushed? Let’s pull some receipts: In 2023, Eversource reported over $4.4 billion in revenue in just the third quarter. That’s not survival money—that’s corporate flex money. The CEO of Eversource made more than $12 million in compensation in a single year. Ratepayers across New England have seen electricity prices jump more than 40% in the last two years alone. So while families are unplugging appliances to save a few bucks, big energy execs are popping champagne. That’s not a system that’s “challenged”—it’s a system that’s rigged. People Are Waking Up Let’s call this what it is: public relations with a smile. Eversource isn’t saving families—they’re trying to quiet the storm. And it might work on some folks. But more and more people are waking up to the hustle. Energy is a necessity, not a premium service. It’s not something you opt into—it’s something you need to survive. So when a company holds that kind of power, and then tries to act like offering “budget billing” is some grand favor, it starts to feel like gaslighting on a mass scale. What We Need Instead of Excuses People aren’t asking for miracles—they’re asking for fairness. They want: Transparent pricing with real justification. Rate freezes during extreme weather months. Government oversight that protects consumers, not corporate shareholders. Investment in renewable energy that lowers long-term costs instead of temporary gimmicks. If we can bail out banks and send billions overseas, we can make sure people don’t have to choose between lights and food. Bottom Line Eversource’s “options” are like rearranging furniture on a sinking ship. It’s time to hold utility companies accountable, demand pricing that reflects need not greed, and stand up for the families getting priced out of basic survival. Because nobody should have to sweat through a heatwave wondering if they can afford to turn on a fan. © 2025 Santiago D.C. Maria. All Rights Reserved. #UtilityJusticeNow #StopTheRateHikes #PowerToThePeople #EversourceExposed #RealEnergyReform #FightForFairRates #NoMoreExcuses #HeatwaveHustle #CorporateAccountability #EnergyShouldBeAffordable