Understanding My Electric Bill

To help you better understand your electric bill, below is an example of a typical residential bill.

Charge Definitions

Customer Charge - This fixed monthly charge covers Eversource's basic costs for billing, metering and meter reading, customer service center, as well as making service available to customers, such as installing and maintaining meters, utility poles, power lines and equipment.

Distribution Charge – Recovers capital investments and operation and maintenance costs related to distribution infrastructure.

Energy Efficiency Charge - Collected to promote energy efficiency and is returned back to the customer through energy-efficiency measures, programs, services, incentives and rebates.

Renewable Energy Charge - Funds the development of new energy sources, such as wind, solar and water power, to reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources like coal and nuclear fuels.

Supplier Services - The amount your supplier charges for making the electricity you use. Eversource purchases Basic Service through a competitive bid process for those that have not chosen a supplier. This price is the lowest available price on the competitive marketplace at the time of the bids and is passed onto the customer. Eversource then pays the supplier on your behalf. If you have chosen a competitive supplier, you will see that charge here.

Transition Charge – Recovers cost of past investments in generation and supply that were stranded through deregulation.

Transmission Charge - This federally-mandated charge covers the cost of transporting the electricity over the high-voltage (transmission) lines from the generation plant to Eversource's distribution system so we can deliver it directly to you. The transmission charge is collected by Eversource and passed on to transmission providers.

Distribution Charges

These items are included in the Distribution Charge.

Attorney General Consultant Expenses – Recovers consultant expenses incurred by the Massachusetts Attorney General for review of various regulatory filings before the Department.

Basic Service Cost True-up Factor – Recovers the difference between the amount charged to customers for Basic Service and the amounts paid to suppliers for such service.

Long Term Renewable Contract Adjustment – Recovers costs associated with long term renewable contracts that are in place to satisfy the requirements of the Green Communities Act.

Net Metering Recovery Surcharge – Recovers the net metering credits given to customers who have installed net metering generation facilities.

Pension Adjustment Factor - Recovers costs associated with pension and post retirements benefits.

Residential Assistant Adjustment Clause – Recovers the rate discounts provided to qualified low-income customers and costs associated with the Company’s arrearage forgiveness program.

Storm Cost Recovery Adjustment - Recovers certain costs incurred during major weather events.