Energy Central contributors share their experience and insights for the benefit of other Members (like you). 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. If you are able, you should pay your utility bills as they come due. 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 . 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. The outage will affect your alarm systems and may affect private phone systems. SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending by the end of the month. They called on the company to evacuate anyone who wants to leave following the controlled release of vinyl chloride. power are not interrupted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. None involved an actual shut-off. 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. 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 . What happens if I cant afford my utility bills right now? 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. These utility services are vital during this current emergency and, indeed, in everyday life, and their availability should not depend on who can afford them. 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. The company has invested $1.3 billion in its electric-delivery systems to keep service reliable this summer and added new technologies to build a clean energy future. For many that included utility bills. Credit: Steve Haber. As the weather warms, shut-offs of electric and gas service due to nonpayment tend to pick up. 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. Our mission at EnergyCentral is to help global power industry professionals work better. 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. Supply charges change as a function of the global fuel market. The unpaid bills have piled up in New Jersey, too. "Its the biggest thing on the bill," he said of the boldface type. One beneficiary is Mieko Inghilleri, a public school teacher who lives in a drafty rental house in Lawrenceville, north of Trenton. Jackie Huba, who lives in Harlem, got a bill from Con Edison in January for $891, double what she was billed two months before. 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. And its a particularly bad time for bills to go up for lots of people. 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. 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. 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. 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. Service cannot be shut off by the utility if: 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. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. There are situations where you may not have paid a bill, but where your utility cannot shut off service. LCRA Congress, states, and utilities will all have important roles in crafting a solution that works. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. 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. 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. How utility, phone and internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic. Her debt will now be forgiven if she pays on time for the next year. Experts say the hotter weather pattern might push the Earth into unprecedented territory next year. Get daily news, in-depth reporting and critical analysis from the journalists, activists and thinkers who are working to improve our world.. 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. Your utility provider must offer you a deferred payment agreement with no money down, no late fees, and no interest. House Democrats included such a moratorium in a $3 trillion pandemic bill . 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 end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. More than 1.45 million utility accounts in North Carolina have gone unpaid during the coronavirus pandemic. Electric, natural gas, steam, landline telephones, internet, and both public and private water services. Modesto, California. GOP Megadonors Are Trying to Pull the Party Away From Trump. Ms. Inghilleri said she had never fallen so far behind on any bills that she had to seek assistance. Customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency. https://t.co/mOoOyPQeSb. 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. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. 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 . . The citys housing agency is also suing, seeking to have heat and hot water restored to residents suffering multiple plagues. Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. 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. Does this mean I dont have to pay? Winter Forecast. The increase in energy costs in the region paralleled the rate of inflation for energy nationwide, the bureaus data show. Data effective 1/19/21. Click here for more information, or call (212) 358-4565. This note is for information purposes only.". Haber said its hard to miss the message about termination given its prominence. Representatives can help you get on plan to pay in installments or defer payment to avoid service disruptions. 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. Your access to Member Features is limited. 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. In short, public ownership transforms access to energy from a for-profit service to a basic human right, Navarro writes. But its gotten worse during the pandemic. 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. 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. Privately-owned building. 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. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. 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. EVERETT The Snohomish County Public Utility District won't disconnect power to households late on utility bills during the COVID-19 outbreak. 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. 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. If your utilities have been disconnected in violation of the moratorium, please call our office. This is not a bill that I can afford to pay, she said. Republicans have introduced several bills aimed at bolstering the fossil fuel industry, seemingly at all costs. Washington, District of Columbia, Senior Customer Programs Transportation Electrification Manager And with a moratorium on shutoffs running out, account holders could have to . 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. There would have been no way that I can get paid up by then, Ms. Inghilleri said. Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries. To live in New York, you have to be making a big amount of money to survive, Ms. Rivera said. Customers are urged to remain aware of scammers who are: Con Edison is not going to shut off your gas or electric service now even if you cant pay your bill. Published Jul 29, 2021. Mieko Inghilleri, a public-school teacher in New Jersey, reached out to a local advocacy group after falling behind on her utililty bill. Austin, Texas, Energy Analyst Lead (Hybrid) China Photos/Getty Images. "The last thing we want to do is shut off . Legal Services Paralegal 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. The problems illuminated now in Texas are interconnected with the decline of the white majority and the liberal order. Theres a campaign in New York to suspend evictions and foreclosures, with growing political support. Not quite. 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). The risk is 250,000 times greater than the level considered acceptable by the EPA division that approves new chemicals. 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. Texas is barring electricity companies from shutting off service for unpaid bills after storms caused prices to surge. The State Department of Public Service has received fewer than 10 complaints about the termination notices on PSEG bills, the agency confirmed. 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. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. The federal government offers the Home Energy Assistance Program, but the application process is cumbersome and doesnt stretch far enough. Will Shut-offs Follow? 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. You can also file an emergency complaint with the Public Service Commission by calling 1-800-342-3377. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from . The following summer, the state forbade utilities regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission from shutting off customer power during the state's brutal summers. The foundation was sagging, which created cracks and a drafty interior. The problem isnt new. But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. All together, they owe over $1.7 billion, according to THE CITYs analysis of data provided to the state by 10 utility companies. A Zoom conference featuring Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller was cut short on Thursday after one of the attendees posted pornographic images that were visible to the others on the call . 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. New Jerseys moratorium, one of the last in effect, expired on March 15. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, PSEG Long Island, like many companies, has robust business continuity plans and emergency procedures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. Marin Clean Energy (MCE) 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. Im a teacher, so I make an OK salary. Sheila Oliver. As a single mother, covering expenses is a constant challenge. Paralegal - Litigation Jackie Huba, who manages the careers of drag artists, fell behind on her power bill for the first time this winter. It Could Get Ugly. Customers with current accounts . Covid State of Emergency: The state's coronavirus emergency declaration, which gave Gov. The Number of Rent-Stabilized Apartments Registered in Ridgewood Plummeted. As of December 2021, 32 of those states have let those protections expire. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). 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. 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. But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. No, this shutoff protection is only a grace period to allow you more time to pay your bill. 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. 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. Portland, Oregon, Electric Utility Engineer I/II/III City of Santa Clara Long Beach officials shut off the gas at Dana Tanner's restaurant after she refused to close her outdoor patio to diners. Thats fair. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. Pandemic-era boosts to SNAP will soon be rolled back, threatening rural communities with little access to alternatives. 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. But producing high-quality, independent work is not cost-free we rely heavily on your support. 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. 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. Great River Energy Amber Johnson is the organizing and training director at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (NYEDA). Hit By Soaring Con Ed Bills? Just because you are behind in payments does not mean you are automatically protected -- you must contact the utility company directly. 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. Customers can manage their accounts online and learn more about payment plans and options. A gift of any size makes a difference and helps keep this unique platform alive. Members and sponsors make THE CITY possible. 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. 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. While there is no precedent for a statewide, comprehensive utility debt cancellation program, New York has a reputation for leading on energy and climate. Plus, there werent even storm windows. Asking for payment by pre-paid card, cash apps such as Venmo, or bitcoin. Residents are worried about de facto deregulation in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood thanks to limited enforcement of the largely voluntary systems landlords use to register rent-stabilized apartments. All rights reserved, https://www.lawny.org/node/465/cortes-de-los-servicios-p%C3%BAblicos-du. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. 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. 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. Elk River, Minnesota, Analyst/Director (DOE) 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. She feared the end of the moratorium and the choices she would face to avert having her power cut off. 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. But Im not rich.. Anyone can read what you share. 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. 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. 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. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated Michael Jamisons name. Residents or business owners in New York City, except the Rockaways, can get information from Con Edison. April 7, 2020. A state prohibition on residential disconnections began in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Suspensions based on safety concerns such as gas leaks will continue, and the company encourages customers to pay their bills online. 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. If you found the piece above useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider supporting Truthout with a tax-deductible donation. Electricity in New York state is largely generated by burning fossil fuels. Access to utility services are critically necessary for people to protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlie Baker is banning utility companies from shutting off gas, electric and water utility service to any customers for failure to pay a bill during the coronavirus state of emergency . 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. (Courtesy Dana Tanner) By Alene Tchekmedyian Staff Writer. A similar call has gone out in New Jersey. 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. 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. 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. Honeywell recently announced that it is shutting down production of N95 respirators at two facilities, in Smithfield, R.I., and Phoenix, laying off more than 1,000 workers. 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 . Natural gas bills are projected to be about 29% higher than last year. They are issuing shut-off warnings while inflation is pushing up the price of many goods, and monthly charges . Leanna First-Arai is a freelancejournalistwho coversenvironmental and climate (in)justice. Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. 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. That includes 411,694 residential Con Ed customers in New York City and Westchester. Notably, and in contrast with many state programs, eligible residents do not need to apply the assistance is automatically credited to accounts. Utilities can shut off your service only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. 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. Combusting fossil fuels warms the planet and negatively affects health. We will Tallahassee, Florida, Deputy Electrical Safety Officer Menlo Park, California, Senior Electrical Estimator It's also easy to share a link to an article you've liked or an industry resource that you think would be helpful. Pacific Energy Advisors If you are homebound, you may request a home visit to apply for HEAP. No, this does not mean you do not have to pay. The moratorium will remain in place through the end of April. The company originally announced it would suspend disconnects in mid-March for at least 30 days to assist . 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, 170 Con Edison employees tested positive for COVID-19 and three died. Rochester Public Utilities 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. The looming shutoffs come as public health officials warn the newest COVID-19 variant is spreading across the U.S. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. 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. https://t.co/KMhXfOzG5y, We have the following new positions open at LawNY! 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. I knew New York was expensive, but I didnt expect any kinds of bills like this, she said. 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. Paralegal - Office of Victim Services (Jamestown) As a result, major energy utility providers including NYSEG, RG&E, and National Grid have . In the end what you end up with are people who are shut off who aren't able to reconnect." COVID-19s clear impact There's little doubt more people are falling behind on their bills. Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. Public Utility Commission of Texas Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. But that is still significantly higher than before the pandemic, when debt totaled about $12 billion. This includes water, sewer and trash pick up services. Most Popular Stories. Beyond that, state law requires utility companies to notify you at least 35 days before shutting you off. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric . Wed be talking about something that benefits all of us.. 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. LCRA Asking for money for "new meters because of coronavirus. Its bogus. 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. Amelia has been with LawNY for over 9 years.