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. 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. Or, as in Ms. Riveras case, longer than that. Bill assistance and a moratorium on utility shutoffs will be crucial during a potentially record hot summer. According to a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, earlier utility shutoff moratoriums reduced infections by more than 4 percent, and mortality rates by more than 7 percent. 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. Her legal work is excellent and she relentlessly advocates for her clients. Thank you @NewYorkHunger for spreading this essential information. Thats why in New York, dozens of groups are calling on Gov. 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. Utilities in New York have voluntarily agreed to this measure, according to the governors office. 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. Texas bans utility shut-offs during coronavirus outbreak | The Texas Representatives can help you get on plan to pay in installments or defer payment to avoid service disruptions. 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. Climate Crisis Catches Power Companies Unprepared They called on the company to evacuate anyone who wants to leave following the controlled release of vinyl chloride. City of Santa Clara New Jersey, New York suspending utility shut-offs amid coronavirus Covid State of Emergency: The state's coronavirus emergency declaration, which gave Gov. Jackie Huba, who manages the careers of drag artists, fell behind on her power bill for the first time this winter. Hit By Soaring Con Ed Bills? 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. This is part of a larger system of unwillingness to actually do something about unaffordable energy, Pravin said. Coronavirus: National Grid, other NY utilities suspend shut-offs during ", 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. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. 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. Billions Are Available to Tackle Environmental Racism. . Follow her on Twitter: @FirstArai. Like other commodities, the price fluctuates with supply and demand. In addition, we are leveraging the guidance of the CDC, state and local authorities. PSEG Long Island, like many companies, has robust business continuity plans and emergency procedures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers will receive advance notification of planned work and have the option of rescheduling it if they prefer. Cooper: NC utilities will be allowed to disconnect again | Raleigh News 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. It includes electric heat. 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. Con Edison will temporarily suspend any electric and gas shutoffs for customers that are having payment difficulties related to COVID-19 coronavirus. 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. Another avenue would be for members of Congress to insert a shut-off ban in the next round of coronavirus stimulus. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images, By Samantha Maldonado and Marie J. French. April 7, 2020. Neither does the state, nor any regulatory agency. As winter dragged on, she fell further behind, owing PSE&G about $2,800. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Similarly, many private water service providers have also ceased service disconnections because of customers inability to pay. 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. 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. Your access to Member Features is limited. Residents of New York and New Jersey owe the staggering sum of more than $2.4 billion to utility companies. Not having a safe place to be because you dont have electricity, gas or water doesnt do anything to help address the coronavirus.. 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. 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. 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 . The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. 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. 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. Maintenance Outage Status | Outage Center | Home - SCE 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. 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. Jan. 24, 2021 . 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. The moratorium will be lifted on June 18, two days before a forecasted hotter-than-normal summer arrives. Theres a campaign in New York to suspend evictions and foreclosures, with growing political support. Under-resourced communities of color are struggling to access funding supposedly allotted for environmental justice. Her work has appeared inUndark,Sierra Magazine,Yes! How utility, phone and internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. And with gas increasingly exported to foreign countries, the domestic supply gets squeezed. 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. Can't pay your power bill? Don't worry, you're safe for now as (We are tracking statewide water shutoff moratoria, including some that have already expired, here.). EVERETT The Snohomish County Public Utility District won't disconnect power to households late on utility bills during the COVID-19 outbreak. 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. We must embrace the positive developments so that we can build effectively from them, the progressive economist argues. NJ utilities: Start paying up or lose gas, electricity after March 15 New Jersey has used $250 million in federal pandemic relief to expand programs to help people pay down, or even eliminate, their utility debts. If youre getting other government benefits like Medicaid, you also can apply for the discount. Long Beach officials shut off the gas at Dana Tanner's restaurant after she refused to close her outdoor patio to diners. Please alert your security company of the outage. 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. If you are homebound, you may request a home visit to apply for HEAP. The looming shutoffs come as public health officials warn the newest COVID-19 variant is spreading across the U.S. This note is for information purposes only.". DC Public Service Commission Nurses at Health + Hospitals earn on average $12,000 less than their private sector counterparts. Ms. Inghilleri, 33, said she could not keep up with the hefty bills she received this winter from PSE&G, her electricity provider.