Guest Column
By Senator Joseph Griffo
(Rome, NY – Nov. 2014) Last winter, I started hearing from constituents daily about their energy bills.
Costs, they said, had doubled and tripled from the prior year. They were angry because they believed someone was taking advantage of the polar vortex to hike prices and afraid because they weren’t sure how they could afford to pay their bill.
In response, I wrote to the Public Service Commission – which oversees utilities – and asked them to both investigate these sudden price shocks and come to my district to hear from customers directly. I’m pleased to say commissioners took me up on my offer and we had a productive town hall in September.
The PSC recently said that utilities such as National Grid have “adequate supplies, delivery capacity and storage inventory to satisfy customer demand under severe winter conditions.”
For its part, National Grid is forecasting that a typical residential customer will pay 10 percent less than last year. A caveat: The utility was wrong last year. They estimated that customer would pay $62 less in the winter of 2013-14 than they paid in the winter of 2012-13, but it ended up closer to $25. (Their forecasts had been much closer to reality in prior years.)
Having said that, there are things you can do right now to save on the cost of heating.
- Grant programs: The state Home Energy Assistance Program is offering a one-time benefit of up to $625 to eligible households. A household of four can earn up to $50,629 a year and still qualify. To see if you are eligible, visit mybenefits.ny.gov
- Rebates: Both the state Energy Research and Development Authority and National Grid offer incentives for individuals to install energy-efficient equipment or renewable energy systems. Check out nyserda.ny.gov/Energy-Efficiency-and-Renewable-Programs/Residential/Programs.aspx and www1.nationalgridus.com/EnergyEfficiencyPrograms for the full listing.
- Research alternative energy suppliers: National Grid may deliver your energy, but they do not have to be your supplier. There are many energy service providers which are offering energy at prices fixed for specific time periods, such as 6 months, a year or 3 years. Visit the “Supplier Choice” section of newyorkpowertochoose.com to see if there is a provider which better meets your needs.
- Budgeting: National Grid allows customers to spread out their winter heating costs across the year. Customers who are unable to pay – or concerned about paying their upcoming bill – should call (800) 642-4272.
- Advice: Both NYSERDA’s and National Grid’s website offer several simple energy saving tips that can make your home uses the heat it generates more efficiently.
My staff is knowledgeable about how you can apply for both HEAP and emergency assistance. If you find yourself with questions, please call my office at 793-9072 and we’ll help you.