Jackie Huba, who lives in Harlem, got a bill from Con Edison in January for $891, double what she was billed two months before. 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). 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. 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. City of Santa Clara Legal Services Paralegal (Olean) If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. Lots of Con Ed customers have reported their bills doubling or tripling from one billing period to the next even if they didnt use more power. New Jersey has used $250 million in federal pandemic relief to expand programs to help people pay down, or even eliminate, their utility debts. Santa Clara, California, Financial Analyst update email soon. To that end, in an effort to help minimize the exposure . Public Utility Commission of Texas 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. 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. There are some additional protections against water shutoffs through June 2022. Customers will receive advance notification of planned work and have the option of rescheduling it if they prefer. Without such a notice, consumers would not become eligible for financial assistance under the HEAP program. Jackie Huba, who manages the careers of drag artists, fell behind on her power bill for the first time this winter. 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. On top of that, the price of the oil, supplied by a different company, has increased with each delivery. 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. Experts say the hotter weather pattern might push the Earth into unprecedented territory next year. If youve already tried to resolve your bill with your utility company Con Ed you can file a complaint with the state Department of Public Service, which oversees utility services. Does this mean I dont have to pay? Kathleen Kerr, the alliances director for utility assistance, said she was waiting for the bombardment of calls from people who had gotten shut-off notices. Over the 25-year lifespan of a locally owned solar project, for instance, $5.4 million in electricity spending is directed back into local pockets, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. Consistent with customer preferences prioritizing the health and safety of the public and its workforce, Con Edison will incrementally resume the work that was put on pause in response to the rapid spread of the pandemic. 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. 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. That means fuel costs more. Following report on the origin of COVID-19, Knicks top Heat 122-120 behind Randles 43 points and, Caesars Sportsbook promo code: How to claim markets biggest first bet offer, DraftKings promo code: bet $5 on NBA, UFC 285, CBB to win $150, Bet365 bonus code: Turn $1 wager into $200 in bet credits instantly, Womens History Month Events for Families 2023, Schools almost out: Celebrate Black History Month at Brooklyns Children Museum, Visit Black History Exhibition at Paley Museum, Take em off! Rochester, Minnesota, Transmission Trading Specialist (Hybrid) Republicans have introduced several bills aimed at bolstering the fossil fuel industry, seemingly at all costs. More than 1.45 million utility accounts in North Carolina have gone unpaid during the coronavirus pandemic. Had Congress implemented a nationwide moratorium on utility shutoffs between March and November of 2020, COVID-related deaths could have been reduced by nearly 15 percent. If you receive food stamps, temporary assistance or Social Security benefits, you may already be enrolled in a program that offers a discount on your bills. 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). | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. Ms. Inghilleri said she had never fallen so far behind on any bills that she had to seek assistance. Members and sponsors make THE CITY possible. Energy justice advocacy groups are also pushing for legislation that would guide a shift from privately owned power generation and distribution capacity to more democratically run, publicly owned systems. Public Service Electric & Gas, the state's largest utility, said about 275,000 customers, or 11% of its the utility's 2.5 million customers, are at risk of having their natural gas and electric . The news about recent activities for needed peoples. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from . 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. Power lines hang from a pole in Brooklyn. The Texas Public Utility Commission voted Thursday to ban utilities from cutting off power and water services to Texans who have lost jobs and income during the COVID-19 crisis for at least the . And through the Utility Assistance Program, people who are elderly, blind, disabled, mentally impaired or in other qualifying situations may be eligible for cash grants. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. 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. Paralegal - Consumer Unit Paralegal - Office of Victim Services (Jamestown) 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. Those with diabetes should not be forced to pay $98 for a vial of insulin that costs $8 to manufacture, Sanders said. LCRA Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. Marin Clean Energy (MCE) All together, they owe over $1.7 billion, according to THE CITYs analysis of data provided to the state by 10 utility companies. Indeed, public health officials are correctly telling New Yorkers to wash their hands during this public health emergency. Check this page for information about determining your eligibility, or email Con Ed about the program at LowIncomeRate@coned.com. Plus, public power would likely lower bills. And its a particularly bad time for bills to go up for lots of people. American Water, which operates in 16 states and has 650,000 customers in New Jersey and 350,000 in New York, has halted any shutoffs amid the coronavirus pandemic and will also restore service. Supply charges change as a function of the global fuel market. ", The Agency confirmed that highly visible shut-off notices to customers, including a late-bill notice, "is a requirement for HEAP eligibility purposes. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. Governor Cuomo of New York recently signed legislation (Laws of 2020, Chapters 108 and 126) banning the shutoff of residential utility services during the COVID-19 crisis. As the weather warms, shut-offs of electric and gas service due to nonpayment tend to pick up. 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 looming shutoffs come as public health officials warn the newest COVID-19 variant is spreading across the U.S. And with a moratorium on shutoffs running out, account holders could have to . 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. In an interview Friday with CNBC, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said the Chicago-based quick service chain has had to temporarily close 50 of its nearly 14,000 U.S . In 2019, approximately one-third of eligible households in New York did not receive assistance. 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. Mieko Inghilleri, a public-school teacher in New Jersey, reached out to a local advocacy group after falling behind on her utililty bill. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. China Photos/Getty Images. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated Michael Jamisons name. Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges . The unpaid bills have piled up in New Jersey, too. If you have an issue with your utility and would like to file a complaint, please contact the Consumer Affairs Branch via phone at 1-800-649-7570 or via email at consumer-affairs@cpuc.ca.gov. Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. 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. Sign up and get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to your inbox each morning, Next Up In As a result, major energy utility providers including NYSEG, RG&E, and National Grid have . The last house Jackson rented was old and leaky. This order does NOT excuse customers from paying their bill. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. PSEG and experts say if you are having problems paying your bill and need to take advantage of the state moratorium on shut-offs (and avoid late fees), its best to call the utility to tell them your circumstances, and see if a minimal payment plan can be arranged. Most Popular Stories. Residents or business owners in New York City, except the Rockaways, can get information from Con Edison. New York already has requirements for utilities to offer deferred payment agreements before shutting off service, he noted. Thats why in New York, dozens of groups are calling on Gov. Asking for money for "new meters because of coronavirus. Its bogus. April 7, 2020. But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. On March 15, state officials warned customers of potential shut-offs. In states such as Ohio, New York and New Jersey, state regulators said all major utilities volunteered to pause shutoffs. In the winter, demand is high. New Jerseys moratorium, one of the last in effect, expired on March 15. Our mission at EnergyCentral is to help global power industry professionals work better. https://t.co/3O2HMhxgj6, We have the following new positions open at LawNY! In all, according to reporting by New York Focus, household utility debt in New York increased by 119 percent between February 2020 and September 2021, with hundreds of thousands of shutoff notices sent in November. Austin, Texas, PUC Engineer (Engineer IV - VI) (00029045) What happens if I cant afford my utility bills right now? That includes 411,694 residential Con Ed customers in New York City and Westchester. Modesto, California. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric . The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. Late-payment fees will be waived. Tallahassee, Florida, Deputy Electrical Safety Officer The state has to act to protect the most vulnerable households first, he said. DC Public Service Commission A similar call has gone out in New Jersey. Lets keep building on it. Copyright 2023 Newsday. Coronavirus With utility disconnections set to resume in Washington, advocates push for more time Washington banned utility disconnections for non-payment during the pandemic, but that protection . Con Edison crews and contractors will observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and city health guidelines. 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 . And with the transition comes a push to increase efficiency in sectors like buildings using less energy means we will pay for less. If youre getting other government benefits like Medicaid, you also can apply for the discount. Ms. Rivera, a single mother of two who lives in Brooklyn, owes Con Edison more than $3,300. We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. 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 . How do I protect my utilities from being shutoff? Your utility provider must offer you a deferred payment agreement with no money down, no late fees, and no interest. This is not uncommon. The agency told him, "theyre not going to do anything anyway," to terminate his service because of the law barring shut-offs. Avangrid, which owns New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas & Electric, serving broad swathes of upstate New York, will suspend shut-offs due to unpaid bills for 30 days, spokesperson Michael Jamison said. In California, for instance, a statewide arrearage management plan sets aside $1 billion in funding to help with utility debt. If people are quarantined or out of work due to a widespread economic slowdown, some advocates say they shouldnt have to worry about having the lights or heat turned off. You can opt out at any time. 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. HEAP is a seasonal program. Substantial Rehabilitations Could Help Explain Why. This is designed to ensure consumers are made aware of the notice.". The letter also requests an extended two-year moratorium on all utility shutoffs. 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. Those clean sources, such as solar and wind, arent commodities like gas is and wont be exposed to the same price volatility in the marketplace. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to end the moratorium blocking utilities from disconnecting power, a policy put in place to help residents financially during the COVID-19 . You, the customer, must contact the utility company directly and ask for shutoff protection. Menlo Park, California, Senior Electrical Estimator If you plan to use a generator, please call 1-888-759-6056 so we can safeguard our employees. 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. 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. 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. A NYSEG rate hike applied retroactively from April 2020 to 2023, increases average household bills by more than 9 percent. As a single mother, covering expenses is a constant challenge. Business customers may wish to rent a portable generator, but please note that we cannot reimburse you for this cost. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. 2023 Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . Plus, there werent even storm windows. 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. The proclamations said that customers "shall not be charged" late fees for energy, telecommunications, or water services between March 23, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Follow her on Twitter: @FirstArai. This is part of a larger system of unwillingness to actually do something about unaffordable energy, Pravin said. 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. 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. Her work has appeared inUndark,Sierra Magazine,Yes! Though the shutoff number may appear large, utilities regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility . For an optimal experience visit our site on . If you are able, you should pay your utility bills as they come due. Like other commodities, the price fluctuates with supply and demand. (Courtesy Dana Tanner) By Alene Tchekmedyian Staff Writer. It's an effort to ease financial impacts to . What if my service provider is threatening to shut off my utilities anyway? That will take a lot of weight off me, she said, though she expressed uncertainty about how she would stay current on her utilities, given that she is also behind on the $1,800 monthly rent on the little one-bedroom she shares with her 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. In short, public ownership transforms access to energy from a for-profit service to a basic human right, Navarro writes. If you found the piece above useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider supporting Truthout with a tax-deductible donation. 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. The state climate law requires New York to get all of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040, which means transitioning over to clean sources of energy and moving away from combusting gas. San Francisco Bay (Area), California, Engineering Technician Supervisor And yet, utility services that were disconnected prior to the COVID-19 state of emergency are no less critical to public health and safety. 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 . Electricity in New York state is largely generated by burning fossil fuels. None involved an actual shut-off. 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 . Austin, Texas, Associate Director/Director: Electric Portfolio Manager She made a down payment of $150 and agreed to pay monthly installments of $10 for the next 27 years. Texas is barring electricity companies from shutting off service for unpaid bills after storms caused prices to surge. Legal Services Paralegal But that is still significantly higher than before the pandemic, when debt totaled about $12 billion. Con Edison says it has held off on disconnecting residential customers and small businesses. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. Electric, natural gas, steam, landline telephones, internet, and both public and private water services. The federal government offers the Home Energy Assistance Program, but the application process is cumbersome and doesnt stretch far enough. As of May 7, 447,990 Alabamians had filed . 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. EPU Supervising Paralegal (Rochester) 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. 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. Click here for more information, or call (212) 358-4565. "The last thing we want to do is shut off . We recognize that customers may experience financial difficulty as a result of the outbreak, whether they or a family member fall ill, are required to quarantine, or because their income is otherwise affected, said Michael Jennings, a spokesperson for Public Service Enterprise Group the parent company of Public Service Electric and Gas Company, New Jerseys largest utility in a statement. But its important to know: Con Ed doesnt set those rates. Rochester Public Utilities Notably, and in contrast with many state programs, eligible residents do not need to apply the assistance is automatically credited to accounts. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe, . Thats what people actually are going into debt to pay for, Ziesche told Truthout. The citys housing agency is also suing, seeking to have heat and hot water restored to residents suffering multiple plagues. 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.