NYS Takes Historic Step to Help Low-and Fixed-Income Utility Consumers

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AARP, Public Utility Law Project Praises Governor, Public Service Commission

AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel and Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Richard Berkley issued the following joint statement today in response to the New York State Public Service Commission’s approval of a statewide low-income utility rate order:

“The state has taken an historic step toward making energy affordable for 1.65 million low- and fixed-income utility consumers across New York today, and up to 2.3 million in the future.

“AARP and PULP applaud Governor Cuomo, Chair Zibelman and the Public Service Commission (PSC) for this unprecedented program, which will ease the energy burden for every New York household that qualifies for the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

“The PSC's creation of this uniform statewide rate reduction program will be hugely beneficial to New Yorkers wherever they live.
“Until now, every utility company had its own program with different benefits and eligibility criteria. That forced a fight to maintain and improve those programs in every rate case for the 1.1 million customers who qualified.

“Now, over half a million additional struggling consumers will be eligible for rate reductions. We expect that as consumer groups and regulators improve the program, hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers will become eligible for real rate relief, helping make some of America's most expensive electricity more affordable.

“This is particularly important for retirees and older New Yorkers, who typically must devote a larger share of their household income to paying for the basic life necessities of gas and electricity. We commend the PSC for targeting 6 percent of income as a cap for energy costs for New Yorkers.

“This program is critical for hard-pressed low- and fixed-income New Yorkers.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org