An interim draft decision has been made about alternative electric companies.  The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority held public hearings around Connecticut, including one in Brookfield, after experiencing a spike in consumer complaints against various suppliers in recent months. 

PURA officials said in their initial decision that the records shows a need to take immediate steps to improve certain aspects of Connecticut's retail electricity market. 

Customers have said they signed up for alternative service providers and their bills have doubled and sometimes tripled after low introductory rates were switched to variable rates without notice.  The interim draft decision includes amended definitions for rate plan offers, imposes notification requirements on licensed suppliers and requires suppliers to update their company contact and agent information. 

The number of complaints about alternative electric suppliers more than doubled from a year ago.