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You can also request billing or meter information. 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 . Substantial Rehabilitations Could Help Explain Why. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. 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. This order does NOT excuse customers from paying their bill. It's also easy to share a link to an article you've liked or an industry resource that you think would be helpful. As a result, major energy utility providers including NYSEG, RG&E, and National Grid have . Amelia has been with LawNY for over 9 years. Pacific Energy Advisors State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric . 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 . Andrew Cuomo during a press conference Friday. Representatives can help you get on plan to pay in installments or defer payment to avoid service disruptions. Great River Energy For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). 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. If you get a termination notice, contact the company that provides your utility service. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe, . 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. At the top of the bill, in large bold letters, is a notice that reads, "THIS IS A FINAL TERMINATION NOTICE. 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. 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. Water service has also drawn attention. EVERETT The Snohomish County Public Utility District won't disconnect power to households late on utility bills during the COVID-19 outbreak. If someone claims to be from Con Edison, call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) and check the employees name and ID. (Courtesy Dana Tanner) By Alene Tchekmedyian Staff Writer. And yet, utility services that were disconnected prior to the COVID-19 state of emergency are no less critical to public health and safety. 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. What utilities are protected from shutoff? 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. 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 . The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. You should contact 2-1-1 in your area to find out about any payment assistance programs to help with the amount owed. AND I paid the rest of my balance off on 12/21/2021. You, the customer, must contact the utility company directly and ask for shutoff protection. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. 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. Credit: Steve Haber. 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. Covid State of Emergency: The state's coronavirus emergency declaration, which gave Gov. 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. Rochester Public Utilities Not having a safe place to be because you dont have electricity, gas or water doesnt do anything to help address the coronavirus.. Indeed, public health officials are correctly telling New Yorkers to wash their hands during this public health emergency. PUC Sr. Market Analyst (Program Spec VII) (00028762) For specific legal advice about a problem you are having, get the advice of a lawyer. Its really been the crux of my poverty, she told producers of a short film played during the Utility Justice Film Festival in February 2021. Jackie Huba, who manages the careers of drag artists, fell behind on her power bill for the first time this winter. 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. 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. Customers will receive advance notification of planned work and have the option of rescheduling it if they prefer. It Could Get Ugly. 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. A state prohibition on residential disconnections began in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 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. https://t.co/3O2HMhxgj6, We have the following new positions open at LawNY! 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. ConEd sent me confirmation that they canceled my service on 11/29/2021. 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. That means fuel costs more. 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. Gov. One beneficiary is Mieko Inghilleri, a public school teacher who lives in a drafty rental house in Lawrenceville, north of Trenton. . Check this page for information about determining your eligibility, or email Con Ed about the program at LowIncomeRate@coned.com. SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending by the end of the month. Here's a list of the internet providers offering limited, no-cost internet services during the outbreak. IE 11 is not supported. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. 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. New York State outlawed the practice of shutting off service for nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that's not stopping PSEG from including termination notes for not paying. Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times, provided as much as 25 percent of the power. Residents or business owners in New York City, except the Rockaways, can get information from Con Edison. 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. 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. PG&E, the utility responsible for some of California's deadliest fires, is hurting people by shutting off power. 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. There is merit to the idea that air-conditioning is helpful during a pandemic, as the US board ASHRAE said. Please alert your security company of the outage. Illinois' moratorium on utility shut-offs during the COVID-19 pandemic ends Wednesday, but there is still help available for anyone who needs assistance paying bills from ComEd, North Shore Gas . Visit https://t.co/QFnsFxkFZB! 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. "Its the biggest thing on the bill," he said of the boldface type. If you or a loved one are experiencing . Asking for money for "new meters because of coronavirus. Its bogus. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. Instead, they try to work out repayment plans over a period of months or even years. (We are tracking statewide water shutoff moratoria, including some that have already expired, here.). All together, they owe over $1.7 billion, according to THE CITYs analysis of data provided to the state by 10 utility companies. 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. And with the transition comes a push to increase efficiency in sectors like buildings using less energy means we will pay for less. Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy 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. If youre behind in your bills, you think its just you, right? she told Truthout. In the winter, demand is high. Her work has appeared inUndark,Sierra Magazine,Yes! Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. 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. Get daily news, in-depth reporting and critical analysis from the journalists, activists and thinkers who are working to improve our world.. New Jersey has again extended its moratorium on companies shutting off residents' utilities through June 30, as the state continues to cope with the coronavirus pandemic one year after the first . 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. Customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency. Most Popular Stories. What if I can still afford my utility bills? This includes water, sewer and trash pick up services. Does this mean I dont have to pay? 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. On Thursday, Con Edison offered the suspension . Theyre going into debt to pay for a fracked gas pipeline that they said that they didnt want built through their community.. 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. 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 . They will still be responsible for the outstanding cost of their water service, they just will not face the risk of water being cut off for non-payment at this time. Ms. Huba said she paid $500 toward the $1,400 she owed Con Edison in hopes of averting a shutoff notice. Youre not alone. Customers who enroll in a COVID-19 payment program can pay their past-due bills over a 24-month period without risk of having their utilities shut off. RALEIGH. 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. Austin, Texas, Associate Director/Director: Electric Portfolio Manager Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. Con Edison customers: Will not have service shut off for non-payment. Advocates worry that many vulnerable customers, especially the poor and older people, will be left in the dark or saddled with obligations they can never repay. But skeptical elected officials demanded an investigation into Con Edisons billing practices, leading the company to pledge to change billing practices to make sudden jumps in charges less likely. Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. 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. 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. At one point she owed more than $3,000 to her utility company, the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG). Residents or business owners in the Rockaways can get information from PSEG Long Island. We must embrace the positive developments so that we can build effectively from them, the progressive economist argues. 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. Theres a campaign in New York to suspend evictions and foreclosures, with growing political support. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. As Johnson points out, low-income communities and communities of color are particularly susceptible to debt and shutoffs for reasons of systemic injustice. New York already has requirements for utilities to offer deferred payment agreements before shutting off service, he noted. But the company says it . 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. Consumer Law Staff Attorney 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. Thats fair. In New York, advocates have pleaded with Gov. "We added the message about not terminating service to alleviate any customer anxiety," Flagler added. Everyone, regardless as to what industry, has to have a heightened responsibility thats encompassed in compassion and take everything into consideration, New Jersey state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) told POLITICO. 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. Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. Paralegal - Litigation There are some options for you, but they are limited. Nancy Luna | Mar 20, 2020. New York State has taken steps to ensure that any customers affected by COVID-19 will not lose certain utilities due to financial hardship through December 22, 2021. 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 . Steve Haber of Franklin Square received one on his most recent bill, an apparent mix-up that he said resulted from PSEG neglecting to send him a prior quarterly bill earlier this year. Those with diabetes should not be forced to pay $98 for a vial of insulin that costs $8 to manufacture, Sanders said. Utility debt is actually ubiquitous and a slice of a stunning $15 trillion in U.S. household debt. Wisconsin did something similar: In 2019, the state legislature passed a bill that prevents utility companies from shutting off electricity or heat from Nov. 1 to April 15. Residential and small business customers will have an additional 30-day grace period, during which time ComEd will not disconnect service for nonpayment to help customers get back on their feet. This builds off previous action taken by ComEd to suspend service disconnections; in March, ComEd was one of the first companies in the nation to . If you get a termination notice, contact the company that provides your utility service. Overheating can be dangerous for people exposed to a virulent . Many utilities, telecommunications companies and automakers are easing shutoffs and waiving late . The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from . New Jersey has used $250 million in federal pandemic relief to expand programs to help people pay down, or even eliminate, their utility debts. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges . Making matters worse, the war in Ukraine has reduced the global supply of oil, driving the price of gasoline near all-time highs and adding volatility to the natural gas market. An executive act mandating utility debt cancellation would build on this legislation, as advocates characterize dealing with utility debt as a precondition to rolling out the kinds of equity-centered renewable energy programs in the states historic climate law. 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 . Modesto, California. Regional Staff Attorney - Litigation (choice of office) Bill assistance and a moratorium on utility shutoffs will be crucial during a potentially record hot summer. 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. A moratorium remains in place for water, gas and electric service turn-offs until Nov. 15 . 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. 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. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney, Safe Water Initiative, People & Communities Program. 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. Con Edison says it has held off on disconnecting residential customers and small businesses. GOP Megadonors Are Trying to Pull the Party Away From Trump. Last month, regulators voted 2 to 1 to extend a temporary moratorium on utility shutoffs during the COVID-19 crisis for residential customers until Nov. 1. The risk is 250,000 times greater than the level considered acceptable by the EPA division that approves new chemicals. Available data from other states and projections for New York State specifically, suggest that millions of New Yorkers are likely already behind on their utility bills, accumulating substantial arrears that would subject them to shutoff at their utilitys discretion without guaranteed protections from the state. WSSC Water is one of the utilities considering shutting off service to unresponsive Maryland residents who have fallen behind on their bills. This is designed to ensure consumers are made aware of the notice.". 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. City of Santa Clara 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. Utility Bills Piled Up During the Pandemic. Roads were covered with snow and sleet on February 15 in Spring, Texas. Heres What You Can Do About It, are 60 or more days behind on their bills. 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. 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. They took similar . 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 170 Con Edison employees tested positive for COVID-19 and three died. Modesto Irrigation District All rights reserved. The company is proud to have been able to meet the energy needs of its customers seamlessly through this pandemic. 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. 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. In New York and New Jersey alone, more than two million customers are in debt to companies that provide electricity, heat, water and broadband. Your utility provider must offer you a deferred payment agreement with no money down, no late fees, and no interest. About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. The companys policy will be in place at least through the end of April, as will Atlantic City Electrics. Like other commodities, the price fluctuates with supply and demand. Most utility companies have a handshake agreement with the state and wont shut off customers for inability to pay until mid-April according to Richard Berkley, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project. Laws affecting this subject may have changed since this article was written. 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. Combusting fossil fuels warms the planet and negatively affects health. What happens if I cant afford my utility bills right now? She feared the end of the moratorium and the choices she would face to avert having her power cut off. Major cities, including Atlanta and Detroit, have suspended shut-offs to ensure residents have water to wash their hands. 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. 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. Winter Forecast. 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. When Your Service Cannot Be Shut Off. 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. 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. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. She and her fianc kept three space heaters going to supplement the heat supplied by their oil-burning furnace. The latest LI business news in your inbox Monday through Friday. 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. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. 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. An average residential electric customer using 600 kWh of electricity per month is expected to pay about $75 per month for supply. 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. Senior decision-makers come together to connect around strategies and business trends affecting utilities. LCRA When customers of Consolidated Edison in New York City and its northern suburbs complained about sharp increases in their bills this winter, the company said the main cause was a spike in the price of natural gas driven by winter demand.