On Thursday, the New York State Senate Mid-Hudson Valley delegation, including Senators Elijah-Reichlin-Melnick (D-38), James Skoufis (D39), Pete Harckham (D-40) and Michelle Hinchey (D-46), and the Public Utility Law Project of New York (“PULP”), held a free virtual information session to educate residents about their utility rights. This is of particular importance during the statewide “bill surges” coming in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, where nearly 1.3 million New York households – or about one in five New Yorkers – are sixty days or more behind on their energy bills, and owe more than $1.7 billion in arrears.
The presentation and audience questions focused upon the ongoing Central Hudson Gas and Electric and Orange and Rockland Utilities’ “bill surges,” which have doubled or tripled ratepayers’ bills and made already unaffordable energy even worse for low- and fixed-income consumers. The bill surges’ effects are worsened by Central Hudson’s recent failed billing system upgrade, which has hampered the utility’s ability to provide accurate and timely billing information to its ratepayers for many months. For some Orange and Rockland customers, the price spike follows a double-digit increase granted to Suez Water Company in July of 2020, after New York’s economy had cratered due to COVID-19.
Consumers should alert their utility company if they are struggling to make a payment, particularly if their financial distress is caused by COVID-19, and ask the representative to note the account as such. We strongly encourage that consumers also apply for Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) and Emergency HEAP, the Regular Arrears Supplement (“RAS”), and the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (“ERAP”), which are available to help pay arrears and work on getting current with utility bills. Consumers should apply for the RAS program with haste, as applications will no longer be accepted following March 15.
Consumers can also discuss setting up a deferred payment arrangement with the utility company, which will protect the account and consumer’s credit while allowing them to pay the past due amount over time. Finally, a customer can call PULP’s hotline at 877-669-2572 or send an email to info@utilityproject.org for further assistance.
A full recording of this utility rights forum is available at Skoufis.NYSenate.gov.
New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-38) said, “knowledge is power. In this moment of skyrocketing energy costs, a critical part of the solution is ensuring that people have the information needed to take advantage of the help that is currently available. We must do more. This forum was one step toward getting people the tools they need.”
New York State Senator James Skoufis (D-39) said, “being able to share PULP’s extensive knowledge of the ins and outs of ratepayer rights and resources was critical during this time of incredible uncertainty. As global energy prices continue to rise, we must do everything we can to keep constituents informed and prepared for all the economy may throw at them. My team remains available for any constituent looking for assistance with disputing a utility bill or connecting with the many assistance programs PULP discussed, and I encourage local residents to reach out to my office at 845-567-1270.”
New York State Senator Pete Harckham (D-40) said, “The recent utility rate increases, and the lack of transparency around them, were outrageous. Consumers reeling from the economic impacts of Covid, and historically high gas prices, were sucker punched. The impacts were especially egregious to seniors and others on fixed incomes. Utilities must provide advance notice for commodity price increases, and at a minimum, provide payment options for consumers to spread out the payment of drastic increases.”
New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-46) said, “it’s unconscionable that, in the middle of winter and amid rising inflation, utility companies would effectively price gouge their customers with absolutely no warning. But that’s what’s happening today. I want to thank the experts at PULP, Senator Skoufis, and my colleagues in state government for their partnership to deliver this incredibly important forum to help residents navigate this utility nightmare, understand their rights as customers, and identify the resources that can help them pay their bills. We will continue our work to hold big utility companies accountable for the outrageous billing spikes placed upon their customers. In the meantime, I encourage all New Yorkers to call their representatives for help disputing bills or getting in contact with their provider — we are here to be your advocates.”
“It is absolutely vital that consumers know their utility rights during COVID-19, but particularly now too as unbudgeted energy increases tear a hole in people’s finances. We’re always happy to work with our partners in the State Legislature to support their work of providing critical services and assistance for their constituents,” concluded PULP Executive Director Richard Berkley.
The Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc. (“PULP”) is a nonprofit public interest law firm with the mission of educating, advocating and litigating on behalf of low- and fixed-income utility consumers in matters affecting affordability, universal service, and consumer protection. Learn more at www.utilityproject.org or www.facebook.com/utilityproject, or on Twitter @utilityproject.