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Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. But Ms. Kerr had good news, telling her that she qualified for the states Fresh Start program. We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. Combusting fossil fuels warms the planet and negatively affects health. Magazine,Outside Magazine, on New England Public Radio and elsewhere. But its gotten worse during the pandemic. Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. To view this article in Spanish, visit here:https://www.lawny.org/node/465/cortes-de-los-servicios-p%C3%BAblicos-du. Paralegal - Office of Victim Services (Jamestown) There is merit to the idea that air-conditioning is helpful during a pandemic, as the US board ASHRAE said. LCRA New York and New Jersey, where elected officials have extended deadlines numerous times, are the holdouts. 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. On Thursday, Con Edison offered the suspension . It includes electric heat. For an optimal experience visit our site on . 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. Jackie Huba, who lives in Harlem, got a bill from Con Edison in January for $891, double what she was billed two months before. 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. With growing concerns about the economic impacts of a virtual shutdown of businesses and large events to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus, advocates are increasingly pushing financial relief for families. It Could Get Ugly. Austin, Texas, Energy Analyst Lead (Hybrid) EPU Supervising Paralegal (Rochester) All together, they owe over $1.7 billion, according to THE CITYs analysis of data provided to the state by 10 utility companies. Winter Forecast. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe, . Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Texas is barring electricity companies from shutting off service for unpaid bills after storms caused prices to surge. DC Public Service Commission By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. . You can request to start, stop or reconnect electric service. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. Her debt will now be forgiven if she pays on time for the next year. Top NYPD official tells businesses to demand patrons remove masks in order to enter, Gibsons State of the Borough address aims high amid systemic challenges, Flushing business owners meet with 109th Precinct officers to discuss crime prevention strategies following jewelry, Mayor names Brooklyn Navy Yard as site for $20 million, Calls from Moscow follows four queer Cuban migrants holed up. Indeed, public health officials are correctly telling New Yorkers to wash their hands during this public health emergency. Amelia has been with LawNY for over 9 years. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. Utility Bills Piled Up During the Pandemic. 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 . Not quite. Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. 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. Hit By Soaring Con Ed Bills? 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. 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. Amber Johnson is the organizing and training director at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (NYEDA). Published Jul 29, 2021. China Photos/Getty Images. 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 . 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. Menlo Park, California, Senior Electrical Estimator 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. Elk River, Minnesota, Analyst/Director (DOE) 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. But each states moratorium is set to lapse before the end of the year, just when ratepayers are more behind in payments than ever before: As of November 2021, ratepayers in the Empire State alone owed a whopping $2 billion to energy giants such as National Grid and Con Edison. Residents or business owners in the Rockaways can get information from PSEG Long Island. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free we rely heavily on your support. Billions Are Available to Tackle Environmental Racism. Get daily news, in-depth reporting and critical analysis from the journalists, activists and thinkers who are working to improve our world.. HEAP is a seasonal program. Customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency. Some Texans described facing $5,000 utility bills after winter storms caused prices to surge. Just because you are behind in payments does not mean you are automatically protected -- you must contact the utility company directly. 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. As Johnson points out, low-income communities and communities of color are particularly susceptible to debt and shutoffs for reasons of systemic injustice. The supply charge changes all the time, and its been high lately. A NYSEG rate hike applied retroactively from April 2020 to 2023, increases average household bills by more than 9 percent. Bill assistance and a moratorium on utility shutoffs will be crucial during a potentially record hot summer. "Its the biggest thing on the bill," he said of the boldface type. Growing Medicare Privatization Is Boosting Big Insurance Profits, Report Shows, Exposure to Chevrons Climate-Friendly Fuel May Pose Severe Risk of Cancer, Upcoming Cuts to Emergency SNAP Benefits Threaten Food Security in Rural America, A Looming El Nio Could Give Us a Preview of Life at 1.5C of Warming, We Face a Climate Abyss, But There Are Sparks of Hope, Robert Pollin Says, At Least 330 Species Are Contaminated With Cancer-Causing Forever Chemicals, Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19, Religions Role in the Struggle for Justice. 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. We must embrace the positive developments so that we can build effectively from them, the progressive economist argues. While there is no precedent for a statewide, comprehensive utility debt cancellation program, New York has a reputation for leading on energy and climate. Customers with higher income levels will be offered payment plans of at least one or two years. The citys housing agency is also suing, seeking to have heat and hot water restored to residents suffering multiple plagues. Natalie Jarvey and Joe Pompeo explain the course correction in Hollywood, as the sun begins to set on streaming's golden age and TV writers gird for a possible strike. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in "late fees.") There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water . 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. 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 . She and her fianc kept three space heaters going to supplement the heat supplied by their oil-burning furnace. This weeks new law is a big step forward to achieve utility justice for marginalized communities. 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. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory How utility, phone and internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic. Sign up and get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to your inbox each morning, Next Up In 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. No, this shutoff protection is only a grace period to allow you more time to pay your bill. More than 1.45 million utility accounts in North Carolina have gone unpaid during the coronavirus pandemic. Water service has also drawn attention. Lets keep building on it. Con Edison customers: Will not have service shut off for non-payment. 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. Thanks for signing up. 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. 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. Wed be talking about something that benefits all of us.. 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. For those behind on bills, says Avni Pravin, deputy policy director at AGREE, it is essential that residents respond to shut off notices, because utilities are required to establish a payment plan with customers. 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. Experts say the hotter weather pattern might push the Earth into unprecedented territory next year. Austin, Texas, Transmission System Operator 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. That message says, "Please note that due to COVID-19, shut-offs will not occur. Modesto Irrigation District But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. This includes water, sewer and trash pick up services. The electric bill alone for January was nearly $600, she said. 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. If youre getting other government benefits like Medicaid, you also can apply for the discount. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. 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. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Most homes in the region are heated with gas, and many of the biggest generators of electricity in the region are fueled with it. 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. 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. I knew New York was expensive, but I didnt expect any kinds of bills like this, she said. 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. 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. 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. 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. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . Folsom, California, Sr. Electrical Engineer And yet, utility services that were disconnected prior to the COVID-19 state of emergency are no less critical to public health and safety. Without such a notice, consumers would not become eligible for financial assistance under the HEAP program. Her landlord knew this, she said, but he was aiming to sell the house, so he didnt want to invest in the fixes. 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. 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. If you plan to use a generator, please call 1-888-759-6056 so we can safeguard our employees. As New Yorkers are staying at home to protect themselves and their families, the need for water, gas, electric, and telecommunications services are even more critical than ever. 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. https://t.co/mOoOyPQeSb. At one point she owed more than $3,000 to her utility company, the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG). The federal government offers the Home Energy Assistance Program, but the application process is cumbersome and doesnt stretch far enough. 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. You should contact 2-1-1 in your area to find out about any payment assistance programs to help with the amount owed. Even after the state of emergency is lifted or expires, utilities are "prohibited from disconnecting residential customers for nonpayment if the customer says they have been financially harmed by COVID," the PSC spokesman said. 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. 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. If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. Gavin Newsom broad powers to slow the spread of the virus, is set to expire on Feb. 28. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric . Major cities, including Atlanta and Detroit, have suspended shut-offs to ensure residents have water to wash their hands. Late-payment fees will be waived. Please alert your security company of the outage. Senior decision-makers come together to connect around strategies and business trends affecting utilities. 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. Service cannot be shut off by the utility if: But its important to know: Con Ed doesnt set those rates. Eversource said customers can make payment arrangements, which include a COVID-19 Payment Program. The state has to act to protect the most vulnerable households first, he said. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney, Safe Water Initiative, People & Communities Program. Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. 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. That includes 411,694 residential Con Ed customers in New York City and Westchester. Many people, she said, wait to ask for help until they are on the brink. requiring the utility to inform all customers of their right to have continued utility service during the COVID-19 state of emergency and of the opportunity to restructure their payments. There are other assistance programs when it comes to paying down utility debt: This isnt a perfect solution, but using less energy means youll pay for less energy. update email soon. 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. 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! 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 . Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. The problems illuminated now in Texas are interconnected with the decline of the white majority and the liberal order. Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. 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 . For the 2022-23 winter season, in general, electric and natural gas bills are expected to be higher on average than last year. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from . Washington, District of Columbia, Supervisor of Engineering - Substations We need to get past this, hopefully, to see what were facing and then deal with other things.. "The last thing we want to do is shut off . 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Regional Staff Attorney - Litigation You can also request billing or meter information. One beneficiary is Mieko Inghilleri, a public school teacher who lives in a drafty rental house in Lawrenceville, north of Trenton. Here is the DPS guide for how to fill out the complaint, and what happens when you do. 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. ", A PSEG spokeswoman said the bold-face note is only there for technical reasons, and users should instead refer to a message in smaller type above it. If someone claims to be from Con Edison, call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) and check the employee's name and ID. Electric, natural gas, steam, landline telephones, internet, and both public and private water services. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. All rights reserved, https://www.lawny.org/node/465/cortes-de-los-servicios-p%C3%BAblicos-du. power are not interrupted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. It's an effort to ease financial impacts to . 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. Asking for payment by pre-paid card, cash apps such as Venmo, or bitcoin. 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. 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. Those with diabetes should not be forced to pay $98 for a vial of insulin that costs $8 to manufacture, Sanders said. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. ", The Agency confirmed that highly visible shut-off notices to customers, including a late-bill notice, "is a requirement for HEAP eligibility purposes. Ms. Huba said she paid $500 toward the $1,400 she owed Con Edison in hopes of averting a shutoff notice. 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. 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. Check this page for information about determining your eligibility, or email Con Ed about the program at LowIncomeRate@coned.com. City of Santa Clara 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. Rochester, Minnesota, Transmission Trading Specialist (Hybrid) About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. 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. Members and sponsors make THE CITY possible. During the early months of the pandemic, 34 states issued power shutoff . This new law provides several important safeguards for residential utility customers by: One limitation of this new law is that it requires reconnections only for utility services that were terminated during the COVID-19 state of emergency. 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.

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