Eversource Energy has agreed to pay $1.8 million over allegations that it violated the consumer protection rights of natural gas customers in Connecticut. The utility had paid an identical penalty in 2021. 

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the settlement with the combined utility came after an investigation was launched into whether Eversource used deceptive tactics to coerce residents to sign up for natural gas services.

The investigation focused on notices sent to homeowners that allegedly claimed they would be unable to connect to natural gas lines for years if they didn’t act fast, citing a “paving moratorium” in their town that would prevent the utility from laying lines. Tong said the investigation identified “multiple towns” where notices were...