BILL NUMBER: S1453A SPONSOR: PARKER TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public service law, in relation to extending a mora- torium on utility termination of services after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or expires; and to amend chapter 108 of the laws of 2020 amending the public service law, relating to issuing a moratorium on utility termination of services during periods of . Luckily for Hawkins, Huntsville Utilities says it is not planning to cut off anyone's power right now, given the pandemic and the state of emergency. Youre not alone. Anyone can read what you share. This order does NOT excuse customers from paying their bill. 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. PSEGs Elizabeth Flagler said the termination message is "one of the requirements for the customers to be eligible for HEAP," the Home Energy Assistance Program. 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). But the company says it . Regulators on Sunday said electric providers were barred from . That would be extremely helpful and take a lot of stress off me, Ms. Inghilleri said. Gov. Agency spokesman James Denn said PSEG and other utilities "may not terminate service for nonpayment at this time and for the duration of the state of emergency in compliance with the states utility moratorium law. Follow her on Twitter: @FirstArai. 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Portland, Oregon, Electric Utility Engineer I/II/III Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. Jan. 24, 2021 . About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe, . Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to use federal pandemic aid to bail out residents who cannot pay. Bill assistance and a moratorium on utility shutoffs will be crucial during a potentially record hot summer. Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) The California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. ", Just beneath is a note that says because of an allegedly unpaid balance, "your service is scheduled to be turned off if payment is not received by Oct. 19, 2020. Public Power Council "We added the message about not terminating service to alleviate any customer anxiety," Flagler added. You can request to start, stop or reconnect electric service. 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. Hit By Soaring Con Ed Bills? But Im not rich.. 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. 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. No, this does not mean you do not have to pay. Con Edison will temporarily suspend any electric and gas shutoffs for customers that are having payment difficulties related to COVID-19 coronavirus. Thats what people actually are going into debt to pay for, Ziesche told Truthout. AT&T said it would waive late-payment . The state has to act to protect the most vulnerable households first, he said. As Johnson points out, low-income communities and communities of color are particularly susceptible to debt and shutoffs for reasons of systemic injustice. Wed be talking about something that benefits all of us.. Just because you are behind in payments does not mean you are automatically protected -- you must contact the utility company directly. ConEd sent me confirmation that they canceled my service on 11/29/2021. That means fuel costs more. Under-resourced communities of color are struggling to access funding supposedly allotted for environmental justice. PG&E, the utility responsible for some of California's deadliest fires, is hurting people by shutting off power. Josue De Luna Navarro is the author of a recent report published by the Institute for Policy Studies that outlines a public power roadmap for New Mexico. Utilities in New York have voluntarily agreed to this measure, according to the governors office. Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times, provided as much as 25 percent of the power. Residents are worried about de facto deregulation in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood thanks to limited enforcement of the largely voluntary systems landlords use to register rent-stabilized apartments. The shutdown last year of the Indian Point nuclear power plant, which once provided as much as 25 percent of the power consumed by New York City, has also contributed to surging utility bills because it has made the region more reliant on natural gas. Amber Johnson is the organizing and training director at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (NYEDA). Lets keep building on it. Allan Drury joined Con Edison in May 2009 as a Media Relations spokesman. Now those companies are using the threat of shut-offs to collect for the first time in two years, and advocates fear that struggling utility customers will have to choose between heat and electricity and other necessities like food and medicine. When Service Can Be Shut Off. We need to get past this, hopefully, to see what were facing and then deal with other things.. San Francisco Bay (Area), California, Engineering Technician Supervisor Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. There's no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic, which threw so many out of work, led to people falling behind on their power bills, similar to what has happened with mortgages for many homeowners. The electric bill alone for January was nearly $600, she said. 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. But that is still significantly higher than before the pandemic, when debt totaled about $12 billion. If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. While he quickly paid the balance, as he always does when he gets his energy bill, he called the termination notice "shocking and aggravating.". Water service has also drawn attention. 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 . Pravin also suggests getting in touch with the Public Utility Law Project of New York, which provides utility rights training, helps residents apply for assistance and files complaints on behalf of ratepayers. EVERETT The Snohomish County Public Utility District won't disconnect power to households late on utility bills during the COVID-19 outbreak. 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. We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. To the extent that the state is declaring areas of emergency, this should be part of the remedies the state deploys.. Gavin Newsom broad powers to slow the spread of the virus, is set to expire on Feb. 28. As a result, major energy utility providers including NYSEG, RG&E, and National Grid have suspended terminations of service to customers for matters arising from inability to pay. Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. Modesto, California. Ms. Huba, who moved to Harlem from Texas last summer, was stunned when Con Edison sent her a monthly bill for $891 in January, double what she had paid just two months before. Rochester Public Utilities This is a reasonable outcome for ratepayers, Public Service Commissioner John Howard told the USA Today New York Network, noting that the agency approved a lower rate hike than the utility requested. In 2019, the state passed the most ambitious state-level climate legislation in the country, requiring its electricity sector to be emissions free by 2040. But its important to know: Con Ed doesnt set those rates. 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. If youre behind in your bills, you think its just you, right? she told Truthout. The Executive Order also requires restoration of service to customers that were disconnected for non-payment Pacific Energy Advisors Washington, District of Columbia, Supervisor of Engineering - Substations Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . Thats why in New York, dozens of groups are calling on Gov. 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. 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. It includes electric heat. SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending by the end of the month. A moratorium remains in place for water, gas and electric service turn-offs until Nov. 15 . Millions of New Yorkers are already unemployed due to economic fallout of COVID-19 and will need significant time to regain their financial footingand the ability to pay their billsas the state begins its economic recovery. Im a teacher, so I make an OK salary. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/19/nyregion/ny-utility-bill-moratorium.html. Residents or business owners in New York City, except the Rockaways, can get information from Con Edison. At one point she owed more than $3,000 to her utility company, the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG). its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Overheating can be dangerous for people exposed to a virulent . Copyright 2023 Newsday. Access to utility services are critically necessary for people to protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 many that included utility bills. DC Public Service Commission Kathy Hochul and State Assembly members to pass emergency legislation ordering the Public Service Commission to cancel all utility debt and to cover the cost using corporate utility shareholder returns. That message says, "Please note that due to COVID-19, shut-offs will not occur. Con Edison, the largest utility in the state serving most of New York City, had already informed the Department of Public Service it will suspend all shut-offs in the one-mile radius New Rochelle containment area, spokesperson Michael Clendenin said on Thursday. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Though the shutoff number may appear large, utilities regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility . Electricity costs did decrease in February, the bureau reported, and one factor may have been Con Edisons decision to reduce what it charges for supplying power, by 8.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, following the outcry over high bills. How utility, phone and internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic. What utilities are protected from shutoff? 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. New Jerseys moratorium, one of the last in effect, expired on March 15. Without a bailout, the state faces the largest tidal wave of shut-offs in New York history, said Richard Berkley, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project, an advocacy group. She and her fianc kept three space heaters going to supplement the heat supplied by their oil-burning furnace. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Does this mean I dont have to pay? Her work has appeared in, To donate by check, phone, bitcoin, or other method, see our, Gender-Affirming Care Ban in KY Could Have Deadly Consequences, Experts Warn, Walgreens Restricting Abortion Pill Sales Due to Coordinated GOP Threat, TX Lawmaker Proposes Tax Cuts for Straight Parents Who Have Never Been Divorced, East Palestine Residents Confront Norfolk Southern at Town Hall Meeting, Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism, White Supremacy Set the Stage for Texas Miserable Disaster Response, more likely to live in energy-inefficient housing, most ambitious state-level climate legislation. Charlie Baker is banning utility companies from shutting off gas, electric and water utility service to any customers for failure to pay a bill during the coronavirus state of emergency . Beyond that, state law requires utility companies to notify you at least 35 days before shutting you off. Managing Attorney These utility services are vital during this current emergency and, indeed, in everyday life, and their availability should not depend on who can afford them. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. In addition, we are leveraging the guidance of the CDC, state and local authorities. Andrew Cuomo during a press conference Friday. Now is not the time to be worrying about late payments or bills. In the same time period, utility gas in New York cost $1.282 per therm last year and $1.497 this year, a 16.7% jump. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Rochester, Minnesota, Transmission Trading Specialist (Hybrid) In states such as Ohio, New York and New Jersey, state regulators said all major utilities volunteered to pause shutoffs. 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. 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. This article provides general information about this subject. Many who owe large amounts are working-class people like Marisol Rivera, who fell far behind after being out of work for most of the last two years. The latest LI business news in your inbox Monday through Friday. The supply charge changes all the time, and its been high lately. Utilities can shut off your service only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. You can also file an emergency complaint with the Public Service Commission by calling 1-800-342-3377. Every year during the coldest parts of the winter, the major electric and gas utilities suspend service terminations for non-payment, the Department of Public Service said. . Modesto Irrigation District The gap in services is particularly acute in The Bronx, where more than two-thirds of children did not receive all of the therapies they could have. EPU Supervising Paralegal (Rochester) 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 . Not having a safe place to be because you dont have electricity, gas or water doesnt do anything to help address the coronavirus.. 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. At that time, Con Ed sent out 128,299 termination notices. The last house Jackson rented was old and leaky. 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. Service cannot be shut off by the utility if: The PUC's order will still prohibit utilities from shutting off "protected customers" whose income is no more than triple the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are set at $26,200 for a family of four, so the yearly limit for such a family would be $78,600.The protected customers must apply for available assistance programs and request a payment arrangement from the utility to pay down . But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free , If you found the piece above useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider supporting, Leanna First-Arai is a freelancejournalistwho coversenvironmental and climate (in)justice. "Its the biggest thing on the bill," he said of the boldface type. Will Shut-offs Follow? Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. On top of that, the price of the oil, supplied by a different company, has increased with each delivery. Mieko Inghilleri, a public-school teacher in New Jersey, reached out to a local advocacy group after falling behind on her utililty bill. Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. Major utilities have agreed to suspend utility shut-offs, a particular concern for people who may be out of work and cannot afford to pay their bills. 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. But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. I knew New York was expensive, but I didnt expect any kinds of bills like this, she said. Or, as in Ms. Riveras case, longer than that. 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. An unused clause on the books could change that. For specific legal advice about a problem you are having, get the advice of a lawyer. Utility companies in just 10 states have reported more than 750,000 residential electricity shutoffs since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic--with one Florida firm accounting for a third of the power cuts--according to a report published Tuesday by the Center for Biological Diversity. Here's a list of the internet providers offering limited, no-cost internet services during the outbreak. Roads were covered with snow and sleet on February 15 in Spring, Texas. No, this shutoff protection is only a grace period to allow you more time to pay your bill. Great River Energy But utility payments are the tipping point. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free we rely heavily on your support. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and city health guidelines. Without such a notice, consumers would not become eligible for financial assistance under the HEAP program. 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. The company has invested $1.3 billion in its electric-delivery systems to keep service reliable this summer and added new technologies to build a clean energy future. Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency, the state Department of Public Works suspended utilities providers from cutting off residents' services due to non-payment as a result of the novel coronavirus. What happens if I cant afford my utility bills right now? For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). On Thursday, Con Edison offered the suspension to customers in the containment area of New Rochelle, with the company extending the grace period to New York City and Westchester county Friday. In March 2023 all SNAP households in New York State will receive their normal benefit amount, without the added allotment. power are not interrupted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Ebony Jackson is a community leader and small business owner in Binghamton, New York. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. A utility shut-off moratorium ended on December 21st, meaning that New Yorkers could face the cut-off of heat during the winter months ahead. But Ms. Kerr had good news, telling her that she qualified for the states Fresh Start program. And with a moratorium on shutoffs running out, account holders could have to . And with the transition comes a push to increase efficiency in sectors like buildings using less energy means we will pay for less. As of December 2021, 32 of those states have let those protections expire. How do I protect my utilities from being shutoff? In short, public ownership transforms access to energy from a for-profit service to a basic human right, Navarro writes. Members and sponsors make THE CITY possible. She feared the end of the moratorium and the choices she would face to avert having her power cut off. On March 15, state officials warned customers of potential shut-offs. Rich Berkley, with the Public Utility Law Project, which advocates for low-income customers in New York, said hes been in touch with state officials to make sure the issue of utility bills is considered during the pandemic. Battery Energy Storage Systems Will Make the City Greener and Theyre a Lot Safer Than E-Bike Batteries, If youre eligible for HEAP but behind on bills, you can apply for, And if youre at risk of having your heat shut off: more than $90 million is available through, For those not eligible for HEAP, theres the. Amtrak Pact Puts MTAs Penn Station Access Megaproject Back on Schedule, Unlicensed Pot Shops Still Selling Weed Following NYPD Shutdown Actions, Contractor Gets Rare Homicide Conviction in Death of Crushed Brooklyn Worker, City Council Passes Raft of Bills to Prevent Rampant Battery Fires, Racial Gap in City Jails Has Only Gotten Worse, John Jay Study Finds, Harlem Tenants Ask Judge to Penalize Landlord of Building Rife With Rats and Leaks, Using a Dormant Agreement Could Deliver a Big Pay Raise to Public Hospital Nurses, 58% of NYCs youngest children dont receive all of their Early Intervention services. Substantial Rehabilitations Could Help Explain Why. 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. The investor-owned Arizona Public Service, the largest electricity provider in the Southwestern state, told the Phoenix New Times it suspended customer disconnects for all nonpayment "for the immediate future." Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the troubled utility . The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit www.conEd.com. 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 . The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. Other states have done so by some combination of executive order or utility commission order, with legislation playing a supporting role on water in at least one instance. Utility debt is actually ubiquitous and a slice of a stunning $15 trillion in U.S. household debt. 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 winter's chill. On average, residential households experiencing utility debt in New York owed $1,347, contributing to an estimated $35 to $40 billion across all 50 states. Plus, public power would likely lower bills. LCRA In 2019, approximately one-third of eligible households in New York did not receive assistance. Business customers may wish to rent a portable generator, but please note that we cannot reimburse you for this cost. Theyre going into debt to pay for a fracked gas pipeline that they said that they didnt want built through their community.. US Is Maintaining Tensions With North Korea to Draw in Allies Against China, DOJ Says Trump Can Be Sued for January 6 Speech, Woman Arrested in South Carolina for Allegedly Taking Abortion Pills in 2021, Student Loan Forgiveness Program Appears Headed for Defeat in the Supreme Court, Trump Campaign Asked Proud Boys to Attend Post-Election Rallies in Plain Clothes, Summer Heat Will Worsen the Pandemic for Poor Communities, Climate Crisis Stokes Flames in California, Putting Disabled People at Risk, Bernie Sanders Vows Bill to Cap Price of Insulin at $20 Per Vial, Ocasio-Cortez Blasts GOP Energy Bill as Fossil Fuel Industry Wishlist. LCRA For an optimal experience visit our site on . What if I can still afford my utility bills? The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Easy Tips on How to Save Energy at Home This Summer., Con Edison Customers Made 2022 Another Record Year for Solar Energy, EV Charger Installations Rocket in NYC and Westchester Thanks to Con Edison Support, Con Edison Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions as it Replaces Gas Mains for Safety, Reliability, Learn more about posting on Energy Central , PUC Sr. Market Analyst (Program Spec VII) (00028762), PUC Engineer (Engineer IV - VI) (00029045), Associate Director/Director: Electric Portfolio Manager, Senior Customer Programs Transportation Electrification Manager. Supply charges change as a function of the global fuel market. [45] [46] Consolidated Edison said they would not shut off service due to non-payment related to the health crisis and would waive any new late-payment charges for customers. All rights reserved. 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. 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. AT&T said it would drop data caps for its residential internet customers. As of May 7, 447,990 Alabamians had filed . A state prohibition on residential disconnections began in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Ms. Rivera, a single mother of two who lives in Brooklyn, owes Con Edison more than $3,300.
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