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Thats what people actually are going into debt to pay for, Ziesche told Truthout. PSEG Long Island, like many companies, has robust business continuity plans and emergency procedures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. If your service provider is threatening you with a utility shutoff and you have already called them to request shutoff protection, you should call our office. The companys policy will be in place at least through the end of April, as will Atlantic City Electrics. If you get a termination notice, contact the company that provides your utility service. PSEG Long Island, a subsidiary of PSEG that handles day-to-day operations for the Long Island Power Authority, was the first New York utility to announce it is also suspending shutoffs before the governors announcement. In 2019, approximately one-third of eligible households in New York did not receive assistance. 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. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and 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. 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 170 Con Edison employees tested positive for COVID-19 and three died. The Executive Order issued today builds on the steps already taken by the California Public Utilities Commission for private water systems and more than 100 public water systems within the state that have adopted their own policies for not shutting off water service to residents facing financial distress during the health emergency. Sheila Oliver. The latest LI business news in your inbox Monday through Friday. 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. If people actually have control over our energy system, and were making decisions about the basic resource that affects all of our lives, then you would be talking about a system that isnt run solely for the benefit of a small handful of wealthy shareholders, Robbins 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 producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free we rely heavily on your support. And that means community wealth building. Though lithium-ion batteries for use in e-bikes have caused a rise in fires in the city, the batteries used in energy storage systems are fundamentally different and the city has strict regulations to mitigate fire risk. Legal Services Paralegal (Olean) 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. Privately-owned building. Tallahassee, Florida, Deputy Electrical Safety Officer 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. 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. What utilities are protected from shutoff? On top of that, the price of the oil, supplied by a different company, has increased with each delivery. In California, for instance, a statewide arrearage management plan sets aside $1 billion in funding to help with utility debt. Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. New Jersey and New York utilities will keep the power, heat and water on for all customers in response to the coronavirus emergency, both states announced Friday. NYCHA building. Regulators on Sunday said electric providers were barred from . Electricity in New York state is largely generated by burning fossil fuels. Therefore, in addition to the protections included in this new law, it remains vital to ensure that service is restored promptly to all families, even if they were disconnected before the state of emergency began. China Photos/Getty Images. 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. 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. Click here for more information, or call (212) 358-4565. Power lines hang from a pole in Brooklyn. Plus, public power would likely lower bills. He called the state Department of Public Service to complain, about the lack of a quarterly spring bill. Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nations largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $59 billion in assets. The company is proud to have been able to meet the energy needs of its customers seamlessly through this pandemic. The Energy Central Power Industry Network is based on one core idea - power industry professionals helping each other and advancing the industry by sharing and learning from each other. Public Power Council A NYSEG rate hike applied retroactively from April 2020 to 2023, increases average household bills by more than 9 percent. Access to utility services are critically necessary for people to protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not having a safe place to be because you dont have electricity, gas or water doesnt do anything to help address the coronavirus.. PSEG bills may include atermination notice but aspokeswoman said the note is only there for technical reasons, and users should instead refer to a message in smaller type above it. After finding work as a receptionist in November, Ms. Rivera, 35, got help from the Public Utility Law Project in arranging an unusual payoff term. 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. DC Public Service Commission The looming shutoffs come as public health officials warn the newest COVID-19 variant is spreading across the U.S. Long Beach officials shut off the gas at Dana Tanner's restaurant after she refused to close her outdoor patio to diners. Gov. Con Edison doesnt charge customers to install smart meters. Wed be talking about something that benefits all of us.. Over the past several weeks, we have been implementing those plans. Like so many New Yorkers, more than 9,000 Con Edison employees have made the transition to work from home to serve customers. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. The foundation was sagging, which created cracks and a drafty interior. This includes water, sewer and trash pick up services. This is not a bill that I can afford to pay.. 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. 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. No, this does not mean you do not have to pay. 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. 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. 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. And its a particularly bad time for bills to go up for lots of people. We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. It's an effort to ease financial impacts to . Texas is barring electricity companies from shutting off service for unpaid bills after storms caused prices to surge. The company also said it would try to smooth out the effects on customers of its efforts to hedge against volatility in the price of natural gas. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney, Safe Water Initiative, People & Communities Program. You will have to self-certify with the utility provider that you had a change in financial circumstances or loss of income due to COVID-19. Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries. Just because you are behind in payments does not mean you are automatically protected -- you must contact the utility company directly. SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending by the end of the month. Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. Suspensions based on safety concerns such as gas leaks will continue, and the company encourages customers to pay their bills online. Beyond that, state law requires utility companies to notify you at least 35 days before shutting you off. To the extent that the state is declaring areas of emergency, this should be part of the remedies the state deploys.. Santa Clara, California, Financial Analyst Washington, District of Columbia, Supervisor of Engineering - Substations Asking for payment by pre-paid card, cash apps such as Venmo, or bitcoin. PFAS contamination has been documented in polar bears, tigers in China, plankton off the coast of Panama, and more. In New York and New Jersey alone, more than two million customers are in debt to companies that provide electricity, heat, water and broadband. 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. But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. Neither does the state, nor any regulatory agency. The moratorium on shutoffs now includes its entire New York City and Westchester County territory. Ultimately, customers unable to pay will need additional financial assistance, including some level of arrearage forgiveness, to keep the water on. 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 . Anyone can read what you share. If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. You should contact 2-1-1 in your area to find out about any payment assistance programs to help with the amount owed. At that time, Con Ed sent out 128,299 termination notices. Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times, provided as much as 25 percent of the power. During the early months of the pandemic, 34 states issued power shutoff moratoria, protecting residents facing economic hardship from having their lights and water shut off due to a late utility payment. Service cannot be shut off by the utility if: Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . Representatives can help you get on plan to pay in installments or defer payment to avoid service disruptions. As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to have unprecedented impacts on the state, Georgia Power's suspension of disconnections is being extended following a vote by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Residents of New York and New Jersey owe the staggering sum of more than $2.4 billion to utility companies. Though the shutoff number may appear large, utilities regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility . Laws affecting this subject may have changed since this article was written. There is merit to the idea that air-conditioning is helpful during a pandemic, as the US board ASHRAE said. The federal government offers the Home Energy Assistance Program, but the application process is cumbersome and doesnt stretch far enough. The company is offering flexible payment plans that will be protected from service disconnection . Ms. Inghilleri, 33, said she could not keep up with the hefty bills she received this winter from PSE&G, her electricity provider. ", 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. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. Members and sponsors make THE CITY possible. On account of historically racist housing policies, Black families are more likely to live in energy-inefficient housing stock, according to forthcoming research to be published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science. The Department of Public Service says if a residential customer is shut off for nonpayment in violation of the utility disconnection moratorium, they should file a complaint at 1-800-342-3377. No utility can turn off service if a person cannot pay their bill as a result of responding to this virus situation, said New York Gov. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. 2023 Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . 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. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. Public Works will NOT SHUT OFF OR STOP SERVICES for customers who are delinquent or behind in service or permit payments until this order is lifted. Republicans have introduced several bills aimed at bolstering the fossil fuel industry, seemingly at all costs. 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. Im a teacher, so I make an OK salary. An average residential electric customer using 600 kWh of electricity per month is expected to pay about $75 per month for supply. 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. 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. Business customers may wish to rent a portable generator, but please note that we cannot reimburse you for this cost. 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. Covid State of Emergency: The state's coronavirus emergency declaration, which gave Gov. She says defaulting on utility payments and accruing overdue balances, known as arrearage, is much more common than people realize. Im constantly trying to fight and to dig out of a hole that Im in.. If you or a loved one are experiencing . All together, they owe over $1.7 billion, according to THE CITYs analysis of data provided to the state by 10 utility companies. Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. 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. State law enacted as part of COVID relief for New Yorkers forbids water, gas, electric and telecom utilities from shutting off service to customers until March 31, or 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted. Customers with current accounts . In states such as Ohio, New York and New Jersey, state regulators said all major utilities volunteered to pause shutoffs. 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. Credit: Steve Haber. There are a significant number of residents who are in danger of having their services cut off after today, and that is why were continuing to ask utility companies to work with people as they apply for assistance but they must apply for help, said Lt. Gov. 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 . Some Texans described facing $5,000 utility bills after winter storms caused prices to surge. IE 11 is not supported. Ms. Huba said she paid $500 toward the $1,400 she owed Con Edison in hopes of averting a shutoff notice. EPU Supervising Paralegal (Rochester) Energy Central contributors share their experience and insights for the benefit of other Members (like you). (Courtesy Dana Tanner) By Alene Tchekmedyian Staff Writer. Con Edison will resume important customer-focused services, including walk-in service centers and energy efficiency visits to homes and businesses, as circumstances allow in the coming months. City of Santa Clara The State Department of Public Service has received fewer than 10 complaints about the termination notices on PSEG bills, the agency confirmed. Pennsylvania utilities have cut off service to 116,000 customers for nonpayment since the state lifted a moratorium on shutoffs on April 1 after a staggering number of unpaid bills piled up during the coronavirus pandemic. Lets keep building on it. Representatives can help you get on plan to pay in installments or defer payment to avoid service disruptions. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges . 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. The supply charge changes all the time, and its been high lately. According to a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, earlier utility shutoff moratoriums reduced infections by more than 4 percent, and mortality rates by more than 7 percent. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Given the background of a collapsing stock and equity market, all of which matters to the utilities, we have to be careful about blanket moratoriums [on shutoffs] in New York, Berkley said. About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. All rights reserved, https://www.lawny.org/node/465/cortes-de-los-servicios-p%C3%BAblicos-du. In the winter, demand is high. As a result, major energy utility providers including NYSEG, RG&E, and National Grid have . Paralegal - Litigation 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). Check this page for information about determining your eligibility, or email Con Ed about the program at LowIncomeRate@coned.com. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. New York already has requirements for utilities to offer deferred payment agreements before shutting off service, he noted. Senior decision-makers come together to connect around strategies and business trends affecting utilities. Allan Drury joined Con Edison in May 2009 as a Media Relations spokesman. It includes electric heat. 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. Per Governor Cuomo's March 13, 2020 directive, all energy and water utilities operating under the state's authority have been ordered to halt terminations of service for both commercial and residential customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also request billing or meter information. Combusting fossil fuels warms the planet and negatively affects health. Learn more about NRDCs response to COVID-19. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. If you are able, you should pay your utility bills as they come due. "We added the message about not terminating service to alleviate any customer anxiety," Flagler added. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. 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. The following summer, the state forbade utilities regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission from shutting off customer power during the state's brutal summers. After hearing about the states assistance programs, she reached out to the Affordable Housing Alliance in Monmouth County, which counsels New Jersey residents on how to seek help in paying rent and utility bills. The unpaid bills have piled up in New Jersey, too. 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. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Get daily news, in-depth reporting and critical analysis from the journalists, activists and thinkers who are working to improve our world.. Sign up and get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to your inbox each morning, Next Up In Residents or business owners in the Rockaways can get information from PSEG Long Island. While he quickly paid the balance, as he always does when he gets his energy bill, he called the termination notice "shocking and aggravating.". LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - As the coronavirus outbreak brings normal life to a halt for millions of people, Southern California Gas Company announced Friday it would not stop service for customers . There would have been no way that I can get paid up by then, Ms. Inghilleri said. Washington, District of Columbia, Sr. Environmental Economist 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. On Thursday, Con Edison offered the suspension . New York City does not shut off service for nonpayment, but does issue liens against peoples property. They called on the company to evacuate anyone who wants to leave following the controlled release of vinyl chloride. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. Similarly, many private water service providers have also ceased service disconnections because of customers inability to pay. And with gas increasingly exported to foreign countries, the domestic supply gets squeezed. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges for heat and electricity have soared in recent months. Indeed, public health officials are correctly telling New Yorkers to wash their hands during this public health emergency. Con Edison customers: Will not have service shut off for non-payment. That includes 411,694 residential Con Ed customers in New York City and Westchester. In March 2023 all SNAP households in New York State will receive their normal benefit amount, without the added allotment. Or, as in Ms. Riveras case, longer than that. What if my utilities have already been shut off by my service provider? In addition, we are leveraging the guidance of the CDC, state and local authorities. 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. Marin Clean Energy (MCE) The Executive Order also requires restoration of service to customers that were disconnected for non-payment Nancy Luna | Mar 20, 2020. LawNY Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols, Ontario County Resident Home Saved - Case marks a huge legal win for homeowners across New York State, Amelia Kohli is our next staff spotlight! If youre getting other government benefits like Medicaid, you also can apply for the discount.