In August, Eversource and United Illuminating customers received a shock when they opened their electricity bills. A 2017 legislative deal to support the Millstone Power Station, followed by a four-year COVID moratorium on utility shutoffs, created an $800 million shortfall for the utilities, an enormous amount that is being passed onto the ratepayers. The bottom line is 77% percent of the public benefit charge is for the Millstone power plant.

The timing couldn’t be worse, as climate change-fueled summer heat resulted in the hottest July in Connecticut recorded history and people turned their air conditioners on around the clock to stay cool. Electricity use, always high in the summer, soared during multiple heat waves. The combination of increased usage and these new fees created shockingly high bills that many are struggling to pay.

Sadly, some legislators are using the very legitimate pain felt by Connecticut ratepayers to launch an effort to rollback Connecticut’s environmental progress by targeting our energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Misinformation regarding energy efficiency, solar, electric vehicles and the source of the new charges is being actively platformed on social media. It is a cynical move that takes advantage of people’s suffering for political gain.

The programs that support energy efficiency and solar are popular and effective. The Interreligious Eco-Justice Network helps houses of worship across Connecticut and their members implement energy efficiency measures and install solar. We have seen firsthand the positive impact that these programs have on religious communities and the people they serve.

Even though energy efficiency is the easiest and cheapest way to reduce your energy use, some legislators are calling for actions that will eliminate the programs entirely. Energy efficiency has many benefits: an energy efficient home provides provable health benefits, improves quality of life and saves residents money. Energy efficiency also reduces strain on the grid, which is important as more customers move to electrification of their homes and transportation.

Similarly, Connecticut’s solar initiatives have helped people reduce their energy bills immensely, while providing clean energy for homes. Solar has also reduced Connecticut’s reliance on additional fossil fuel power plants during high-use days. Legislators should be working to expand solar to people who can’t currently access it, instead of trying to eliminate this highly popular program. It has been disappointing to see lawmakers complain about strategies that are helping people.

Finally, it has been heartbreaking to see how people who are poor and struggling are being cast as “deadbeats” and “losers.” IREJN believes that hateful, demeaning and divisive comments have no place in our public discourse. The Interreligious Eco-Justice Network firmly rejects any language that diminishes anyone’s humanity and we call on all lawmakers to reject this ugly, extremist rhetoric.

IREJN calls on lawmakers and the people of our state to seek compassionate, effective solutions that reduce our energy use, lower our bills, improve public health and quality of life, and safeguard the environment.

Every faith tradition speaks about the importance of caring for creation and about treating others with kindness and dignity. Let’s remember that as we work together to protect people and the planet.

Teresa Eickel, a Preston resident, is the executive director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, a faith-based environmental organization.