Utility debt is actually ubiquitous and a slice of a stunning $15 trillion in U.S. household debt. A number of utilities, including Ameren, Con Edison, and Pacific Gas and Electric, also have ramped up assistance programs, which may offer deferred payment plans to those affected by COVID-19 . Customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency. Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. Amber Johnson is the organizing and training director at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (NYEDA). 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. Unfortunately, scams targeting utility customers increase during times of uncertainty; we urge you to call us first at 1-800-655-4555 before taking any action, or if you are suspicious about any COVID-19-related emails or calls you receive from people claiming to be with SCE.We will never call you or email you to demand payment and threaten to disconnect your service if payment isn't . 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. 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. 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. To live in New York, you have to be making a big amount of money to survive, Ms. Rivera said. A state prohibition on residential disconnections began in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 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. Con Edison does not accept these payment methods. A moratorium remains in place for water, gas and electric service turn-offs until Nov. 15 . Many utilities, telecommunications companies and automakers are easing shutoffs and waiving late . Im constantly trying to fight and to dig out of a hole that Im in.. 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. The citys housing agency is also suing, seeking to have heat and hot water restored to residents suffering multiple plagues. New York already has requirements for utilities to offer deferred payment agreements before shutting off service, he noted. EPU Supervising Paralegal (Rochester) All rights reserved. But he noted that not everyone will have trouble paying their utility bills if theyre under quarantine. 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 will temporarily suspend any electric and gas shutoffs for customers that are having payment difficulties related to COVID-19 coronavirus. It's an effort to ease financial impacts to . 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. About 1 million customers are behind on their payments, owing about $700 million, according to the states Board of Public Utilities. 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. That means fuel costs more. The companys policy will be in place at least through the end of April, as will Atlantic City Electrics. PSEG Long Island, like many companies, has robust business continuity plans and emergency procedures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. Amelia has been with LawNY for over 9 years. But its important to know: Con Ed doesnt set those rates. 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. Power lines hang from a pole in Brooklyn. That would be extremely helpful and take a lot of stress off me, Ms. Inghilleri said. If youre getting other government benefits like Medicaid, you also can apply for the discount. LCRA We need to get past this, hopefully, to see what were facing and then deal with other things.. What utilities are protected from shutoff? Private electricity companies will be required to send a 10-day "re-notification . While he quickly paid the balance, as he always does when he gets his energy bill, he called the termination notice "shocking and aggravating.". They called on the company to evacuate anyone who wants to leave following the controlled release of vinyl chloride. Jackie Huba, who lives in Harlem, got a bill from Con Edison in January for $891, double what she was billed two months before. More than 1.45 million utility accounts in North Carolina have gone unpaid during the coronavirus pandemic. Her landlord knew this, she said, but he was aiming to sell the house, so he didnt want to invest in the fixes. ", Just beneath is a note that says because of an allegedly unpaid balance, "your service is scheduled to be turned off if payment is not received by Oct. 19, 2020. She made a down payment of $150 and agreed to pay monthly installments of $10 for the next 27 years. Get daily news, in-depth reporting and critical analysis from the journalists, activists and thinkers who are working to improve our world.. City of Tallahassee The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, But most states, including New York, have lifted those restrictions in recent months. 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 . https://t.co/mOoOyPQeSb. update email soon. Legal Services Paralegal 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. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. 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. New Jerseys moratorium, one of the last in effect, expired on March 15. While there is no precedent for a statewide, comprehensive utility debt cancellation program, New York has a reputation for leading on energy and climate. Pacific Energy Advisors This is not uncommon. 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. Bill assistance and a moratorium on utility shutoffs will be crucial during a potentially record hot summer. 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! 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. Most homes in the region are heated with gas, and many of the biggest generators of electricity in the region are fueled with it. 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! This note is for information purposes only.". 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. But that is still significantly higher than before the pandemic, when debt totaled about $12 billion. 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. In 2019, approximately one-third of eligible households in New York did not receive assistance. Were proud to publish real news 365 days of the year, completely free of charge to our readers. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. You must re-apply each year and meet the qualifications to receive a HEAP benefit. 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 . New York City does not shut off service for nonpayment, but does issue liens against peoples property. Will Shut-offs Follow? If you are homebound, you may request a home visit to apply for HEAP. Ms. Huba said she paid $500 toward the $1,400 she owed Con Edison in hopes of averting a shutoff notice. Visiting, e-mailing, or calling about outstanding bills or disconnecting service. 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. 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. 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. . And with a moratorium on shutoffs running out, account holders could have to . 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. 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. Customers can also find great energy savings tips on the Con Edison website or by listening to its new podcast, Easy Tips on How to Save Energy at Home This Summer.. Modesto Irrigation District 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. 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. Covid State of Emergency: The state's coronavirus emergency declaration, which gave Gov. DC Public Service Commission 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. Customers can also find great energy savings tips on the Con Edison. It includes electric heat. Customers will receive advance notification of planned work and have the option of rescheduling it if they prefer. 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. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Typically customers receive notices about 20 days past an overdue bill, and then 15 days before the company plans to shut off service. The end of government protections has put utility companies in an unpopular position. 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. ", The Agency confirmed that highly visible shut-off notices to customers, including a late-bill notice, "is a requirement for HEAP eligibility purposes. Residents or business owners in New York City, except the Rockaways, can get information from Con Edison. 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. WSSC Water is one of the utilities considering shutting off service to unresponsive Maryland residents who have fallen behind on their bills. Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office. This is designed to ensure consumers are made aware of the notice.". Unlike electric and gas utilities, there are no statewide programs for low-income water assistance, and few local ones. 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. You can contact Con Ed to get on a payment plan, which allows you to pay off the bill over time. 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. This is a reasonable outcome for ratepayers, Public Service Commissioner John Howard told the USA Today New York Network, noting that the agency approved a lower rate hike than the utility requested. Regulators on Sunday said electric providers were barred from . 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. 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. Some states have gotten involved in notable ways too. 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. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney, Safe Water Initiative, People & Communities Program. She says defaulting on utility payments and accruing overdue balances, known as arrearage, is much more common than people realize. To view this article in Spanish, visit here:https://www.lawny.org/node/465/cortes-de-los-servicios-p%C3%BAblicos-du. Regional Staff Attorney - Litigation 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. Check this page for information about determining your eligibility, or email Con Ed about the program at LowIncomeRate@coned.com. If you get a termination notice, contact the company that provides your utility service. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . 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. 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 . Seattle suspended water and electric shutoffs. 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. We provide free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York. Privately-owned building. 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. "Its the biggest thing on the bill," he said of the boldface type. The moratorium will be lifted on June 18, two days before a forecasted hotter-than-normal summer arrives. 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. Ms. Inghilleri said she had never fallen so far behind on any bills that she had to seek assistance. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. 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. Published Jul 29, 2021. Republicans have introduced several bills aimed at bolstering the fossil fuel industry, seemingly at all costs. 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. The Maryland Public Service Commission allowed service . 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 . IE 11 is not supported. No, this shutoff protection is only a grace period to allow you more time to pay your bill. I knew New York was expensive, but I didnt expect any kinds of bills like this, she said. No order from the Public Service Commission is expected. You can also request billing or meter information. We must embrace the positive developments so that we can build effectively from them, the progressive economist argues. Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. 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. And with gas increasingly exported to foreign countries, the domestic supply gets squeezed. Seven for-profit companies saw their combined revenues from taxpayer-backed programs soar by 500 percent since 2012. This includes water, sewer and trash pick up services. Water service has also drawn attention. AT&T said it would waive late-payment . How utility, phone and internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic. Service cannot be shut off by the utility if: Combusting fossil fuels warms the planet and negatively affects health. New York and New Jersey, where elected officials have extended deadlines numerous times, are the holdouts. In California, for instance, a statewide arrearage management plan sets aside $1 billion in funding to help with utility debt. 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. 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. 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. Organizations like the Center for Urban Community Services and the Public Utility Law Project can help you navigate the processes and find out what you might be eligible for, as can the city Department of Social Services. Credit: Steve Haber. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. 2023 Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. . Visit https://t.co/QFnsFxkFZB! 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 . 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. Long Beach officials shut off the gas at Dana Tanner's restaurant after she refused to close her outdoor patio to diners. How do I protect my utilities from being shutoff? Andrew Cuomo during a press conference Friday. As of December 2021, 32 of those states have let those protections expire. 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. If you are able, you should pay your utility bills as they come due. The moratorium will remain in place through the end of April. Allan Drury joined Con Edison in May 2009 as a Media Relations spokesman. Experts say the hotter weather pattern might push the Earth into unprecedented territory next year. When Service Can Be Shut Off. But for most of the last two years, as the pandemic inflicted widespread financial hardship, overdue utility payments have soared. Ms. Inghilleri, 33, said she could not keep up with the hefty bills she received this winter from PSE&G, her electricity provider. 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. 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. Hit By Soaring Con Ed Bills? Thats fair. 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. 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. Legal Services Paralegal (Olean) Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to use federal pandemic aid to bail out residents who cannot pay. 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. 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. 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. SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending by the end of the month. Ebony Jackson is a community leader and small business owner in Binghamton, New York. The Number of Rent-Stabilized Apartments Registered in Ridgewood Plummeted. Many people, she said, wait to ask for help until they are on the brink. 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 . 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 . Short of such legislation, explained Lee Ziesche, community engagement coordinator for the nonprofit Sane Energy Project, private and public money paid to utility companies often goes to funding projects that threaten the health and climate resilience of communities that host them. NYCHA building. You should contact 2-1-1 in your area to find out about any payment assistance programs to help with the amount owed. 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. 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. Here's a list of the internet providers offering limited, no-cost internet services during the outbreak. 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. 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. Con Edison, the largest utility in the state serving most of New York City, had already informed the Department of Public Service it will suspend all shut-offs in the one-mile radius New Rochelle containment area, spokesperson Michael Clendenin said on Thursday. Austin, Texas, Energy Analyst Lead (Hybrid) In New York and New Jersey alone, more than two million customers are in debt to companies that provide electricity, heat, water and broadband. But today I received a bill from ConEd totaling over $400 for the . The electric bill alone for January was nearly $600, she said. A similar call has gone out in New Jersey. 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. power are not interrupted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. China Photos/Getty Images. 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. 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. When Your Service Cannot Be Shut Off. 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. Con Edison crews and contractors will observe, . If youre behind in your bills, you think its just you, right? she told Truthout. 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. Utilities can shut off your service only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Though the shutoff number may appear large, utilities regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility . 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.
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