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A NYSEG rate hike applied retroactively from April 2020 to 2023, increases average household bills by more than 9 percent. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Or, as in Ms. Riveras case, longer than that. This weeks new law is a big step forward to achieve utility justice for marginalized communities. There are other assistance programs when it comes to paying down utility debt: This isnt a perfect solution, but using less energy means youll pay for less energy. Austin, Texas, PUC Engineer (Engineer IV - VI) (00029045) Visit https://t.co/QFnsFxkFZB https://t.co/RNEMUJjAvI, Please spread the word! Overheating can be dangerous for people exposed to a virulent . Electricity in New York state is largely generated by burning fossil fuels. Our, Beginning with work that requires little-to-no interaction with customers, crews will resume gas main replacement and service work, reading meters and installing smart meters on the exterior of buildings or in public areas such as common basements. Anyone can read what you share. In the cold spell that followed a mild December, the cost of electricity in the New York City region jumped 28 percent in January, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now is not the time to be worrying about late payments or bills. Organizers Push for Stronger Covid-19 Utility Shut-Off Protections as Winter Nears Thirty-three states have either let their Covid-19 utility moratoriums expire or never passed them at all. In New Orleans, City Council members pressed Entergy Corp., the nearly $21 billion company that provides the city's power, to suspend shutoffs as the national crisis rapidly worsened Thursday . There would have been no way that I can get paid up by then, Ms. Inghilleri said. You can also file an emergency complaint with the Public Service Commission by calling 1-800-342-3377. None involved an actual shut-off. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney, Safe Water Initiative, People & Communities Program. Con Edison doesnt charge customers to install smart meters. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. EVERETT The Snohomish County Public Utility District won't disconnect power to households late on utility bills during the COVID-19 outbreak. Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. If you get a termination notice, contact the company that provides your utility service. Follow her on Twitter: @FirstArai. But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free we rely heavily on your support. Instead, they try to work out repayment plans over a period of months or even years. Moratoriums have expired on turning off utilities for customers who have failed to pay their bills, prompting fears that thousands could be left in the dark. https://t.co/3O2HMhxgj6, We have the following new positions open at LawNY! (We are tracking statewide water shutoff moratoria, including some that have already expired, here.). Residents or business owners in the Rockaways can get information from PSEG Long Island. What if I can still afford my utility bills? But on Wednesday, New Jerseys largest power distributor, PSE&G, started sending representatives to shut off electricity of customers who had not responded to multiple warnings and whose bills were more than 90 days past due, a company spokeswoman said. Republicans have introduced several bills aimed at bolstering the fossil fuel industry, seemingly at all costs. AT&T said it would drop data caps for its residential internet customers. Nationally, the total level of arrears to utility companies is about $22 billion, after peaking at about $32 billion in the spring of 2021, said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. power are not interrupted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Ms. Inghilleri said she had never fallen so far behind on any bills that she had to seek assistance. New York's moratorium on shutting off gas, electricity and water is set to expire 180 days after the Covid-19 state of emergency was lifted, June 24, putting the moratorium on pace to end Dec. 21. That would be extremely helpful and take a lot of stress off me, Ms. Inghilleri said. Her debt will now be forgiven if she pays on time for the next year. But for residential utility customers and families, this is an impossible task if their water is shut off for non-payment of a water bill. For an optimal experience visit our site on . We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. She and her fianc kept three space heaters going to supplement the heat supplied by their oil-burning furnace. If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. If you have an experience or insight to share or have learned something from a conference or seminar, your peers and colleagues on Energy Central want to hear about it. Legal Services Paralegal San Francisco Bay (Area), California, Engineering Technician Supervisor He called the state Department of Public Service to complain, about the lack of a quarterly spring bill. Our reporting shows that, across the state, almost 1.3 million residential gas and electric customers are 60 or more days behind on their bills. Paralegal - Litigation ", In addition, the state agency said, Home Energy Fair Practices Act rules "require that a disconnection/termination notice must be printed in a size type capable of attracting immediate attention. Customers with higher income levels will be offered payment plans of at least one or two years. All she has to do is pay her current bill on time every month for a year, and her debt to PSE&G will be forgiven. PFAS contamination has been documented in polar bears, tigers in China, plankton off the coast of Panama, and more. Energy executives and public officials have poured fuel on the fire, exacerbating existing debt like Jacksons by continuing to propose and rubber-stamp rate hikes as the pandemic roars on. On April 2, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-42-20 prohibiting shut offs of water service to residences and critical infrastructure sector small businesses. For those behind on bills, says Avni Pravin, deputy policy director at AGREE, it is essential that residents respond to shut off notices, because utilities are required to establish a payment plan with customers. As VICE News reported, in August 2021, the Public Service Commission voted 7-0 to approve a rate hike impacting 1.9 million residents, $129 million of which was earmarked to build National Grids North Brooklyn Pipeline, which has faced significant community opposition. Beginning with work that requires little-to-no interaction with customers, crews will resume gas main replacement and service work, reading meters and installing smart meters on the exterior of buildings or in public areas such as common basements. You should contact 2-1-1 in your area to find out about any payment assistance programs to help with the amount owed. Menlo Park, California, Senior Electrical Estimator Curtailing shut-offs is good public policy to make sure New Jersey residents arent left in the lurch as theyre dealing with coronavirus, said Eric Miller, director of the Natural Resources Defense Councils New Jersey energy policy program. Short of such legislation, explained Lee Ziesche, community engagement coordinator for the nonprofit Sane Energy Project, private and public money paid to utility companies often goes to funding projects that threaten the health and climate resilience of communities that host them. For companies like Con Edison, pulling the plug on customers who fall behind in paying their bills is usually a last resort, which it typically avoids during the coldest months. Suspensions based on safety concerns such as gas leaks will continue, and the company encourages customers to pay their bills online. A state prohibition on residential disconnections began in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But the company says it . prohibiting shutoffs during the COVID-19 state of emergency for non-payment of a utility bill; requiring reconnection, within 48 hours of disconnection, for utility service that had been shut off . Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. This new law provides several important safeguards for residential utility customers by: One limitation of this new law is that it requires reconnections only for utility services that were terminated during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Millions of U.S. residents behind on bills are at risk of having their electricity, heat and ability to stir up a hot meal cut off on December 22 by private utility companies, just a day after the solstice heralds the colder states descent into true winters chill. Switching to more energy-efficient appliances, using LED bulbs instead of incandescent and washing laundry in cold water all help the cause, among other measures. An unused clause on the books could change that. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges . And with gas increasingly exported to foreign countries, the domestic supply gets squeezed. The State Department of Public Service has received fewer than 10 complaints about the termination notices on PSEG bills, the agency confirmed. Electric, natural gas, steam, landline telephones, internet, and both public and private water services. New York State outlawed the practice of shutting off service for nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic, but dont be surprised if your PSEG bill still includes a termination notice if you dont pay. Beyond that, state law requires utility companies to notify you at least 35 days before shutting you off. Her work has appeared inUndark,Sierra Magazine,Yes! The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. Con Edison will temporarily suspend any electric and gas shutoffs for customers that are having payment difficulties related to COVID-19 coronavirus. But today I received a bill from ConEd totaling over $400 for the . Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries. Paralegal - Consumer Unit Moreover, when the shutoff moratorium expires, many customers will be faced with accumulated arrears that they are unable to pay off, even with an extended payment plan. House Democrats included such a moratorium in a $3 trillion pandemic bill . But for most of the last two years, as the pandemic inflicted widespread financial hardship, overdue utility payments have soared. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. Public Power Council But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. A 2021 Rocky Mountain Institute report found that gas utilities pass the cost of building new pipelines and mains onto customers, to the tune of hundreds of millions annually, which locks in the use of fossil gas for decades to come. Back in New York, both the utility debt crisis and delay in rapid transition to renewables are a result of policies that favor private ownership, said Patrick Robbins, a coordinator with NYEDA. Per Governor Cuomos March 13, 2020 directive, all energy and water utilities operating under the states authority have been ordered to halt terminations of service for both commercial and residential customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 170 Con Edison employees tested positive for COVID-19 and three died. Gov. It's not exactly free, but you can get no-cost, in-home internet for up to sixty days during the COVID-19 pandemic if you qualify for certain low-income internet programs or have a student living in your household. Your utility bill includes two main charges: the supply charge, for the energy itself, and the delivery charge, which covers the wires, substations and other infrastructure used to transport the energy from the generator to your home. Residents of New York and New Jersey owe the staggering sum of more than $2.4 billion to utility companies. Image: Customer communication with energy saving tips, Great to see this for customers that may not yet feel comfortable interacting with outside workers if they are in vulnerable populations. NYCHA building. Con Edison customers: Will not have service shut off for non-payment. Private electricity companies will be required to send a 10-day "re-notification . Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. "The Covid-19 pandemic and Texas energy crisis have . Utilities in New York have voluntarily agreed to this measure, according to the governors office. To the extent that the state is declaring areas of emergency, this should be part of the remedies the state deploys.. You can request to start, stop or reconnect electric service. The increase in energy costs in the region paralleled the rate of inflation for energy nationwide, the bureaus data show. Amber Johnson is the organizing and training director at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (NYEDA). Working in New York City, the media capital of the world, he speaks daily with reporters from local and national NEW YORK Con Edison crews have been working throughout this health crisis responding to emergency calls, performing safety-related inspections, addressing customer issues, providing power to new medical facilities, and conducting the critical work needed to prepare and protect the grid for the stresses of summer. Even though utilities in New York State are no longer prohibited from disconnecting delinquent customers, the last thing that we want to do is to shut anybody off, said Jamie McShane, a spokesman for the company. This is not a bill that I can afford to pay.. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. Regional Staff Attorney - Litigation A moratorium remains in place for water, gas and electric service turn-offs until Nov. 15 . Allan Drury joined Con Edison in May 2009 as a Media Relations spokesman. Mieko Inghilleri, a public-school teacher in New Jersey, reached out to a local advocacy group after falling behind on her utililty bill. Copyright 2023 Newsday. She made a down payment of $150 and agreed to pay monthly installments of $10 for the next 27 years. Ms. Rivera, a single mother of two who lives in Brooklyn, owes Con Edison more than $3,300. Long Beach officials shut off the gas at Dana Tanner's restaurant after she refused to close her outdoor patio to diners. Where Is the Money Going? | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. As Navarro writes, one of the biggest advantages of the public ownership model is that revenue is available to reinvest in community visions, rather than to bankroll what companies dictate, such as more fossil gas buildouts. But 1.2 million households and more than 128,000 businesses across New York State are at least 60 days behind on energy bills, according to monthly reports submitted to the New York State Department of Public Service and analyzed by the Alliance For a Green Economy (AGREE). Those fuels mostly natural gas are commodities, and in 2021, they drove energy prices to rise faster than any other commodity category, according to the U.S Energy Information Administration. Portland, Oregon, Electric Utility Engineer I/II/III Eversource said customers can make payment arrangements, which include a COVID-19 Payment Program. The moratorium will be lifted on June 18, two days before a forecasted hotter-than-normal summer arrives. In March 2023 all SNAP households in New York State will receive their normal benefit amount, without the added allotment. Please alert your security company of the outage. Con Edison crews will only enter your home or business for emergencies, safety reasons and upon your request for critical issues, including turning on service. Customers are urged to remain aware of scammers who are: Con Edison is not going to shut off your gas or electric service now even if you cant pay your bill. ConEd sent me confirmation that they canceled my service on 11/29/2021. Energy Central contributors share their experience and insights for the benefit of other Members (like you). Austin, Texas, Associate Director/Director: Electric Portfolio Manager Imagine having months of accumulated bills and needing to pay those off on top of your monthly bill, in the middle of an ongoing economic crisis. About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. Magazine,Outside Magazine, on New England Public Radio and elsewhere. The looming power shutoffs come just as public health officials warn that the newest and most infectious COVID-19 variant has been detected in the majority of U.S. states. In New York and New Jersey alone, more than two million customers are in debt to companies that provide electricity, heat, water and broadband. Congress, states, and utilities will all have important roles in crafting a solution that works. prohibiting shutoffs during the COVID-19 state of emergency for non-payment of a utility bill; requiring reconnection, within 48 hours of disconnection, for utility service that had been shut off during the emergency; extending the moratorium on utility shutoffs for 180 days beyond when the state of emergency has been lifted or has expired (no later than March 31, 2021 as per, requiring the utility to offer a restructuring of payments owed to the utility, without requiring a down payment or assessing late fees or penalties, for customers that have experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 emergency; and. We will The nation's largest wireless and broadband companies are extending their promise to not disconnect service through June 30, in an effort to help customers through the COVID-19 crisis.In March . Public Utility Law Project executive director Richard Berkley said thats important because customers can get behind on multiple utility bills, and have a hefty balance due when the moratorium is lifted in the spring. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. This new law is sweeping and precedent-setting: New York is the first state to act via legislationto establish a statewide moratorium on all utility shutoffswater, gas, electric, and telephone, including both publicly- and privately-owned utilities. If you plan to use a generator, please call 1-888-759-6056 so we can safeguard our employees. Great River Energy keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. To that end, in an effort to help minimize the exposure . Con Edison crews and contractors will observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and city health guidelines. The federal government offers the Home Energy Assistance Program, but the application process is cumbersome and doesnt stretch far enough.