The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) has a history of protecting access to service for those who may face financial difficulties, and has approved low income affordability programs for every major gas and electric utility throughout New York.  More than $128 million has been authorized annually for ratepayer-funded low income assistance programs, and more than one million energy consumers participate in those programs.

Through the Low Income Proceeding, the Commission is evaluating the effectiveness of current low income program designs, to identify improvements.  The Commission directed Staff, in consultation with interested parties, to conduct an investigation of utility low income programs, to identify best practices, and develop a set of recommendations for how best to optimize the implementation of utility low income programs, for party comment. The Commission’s goal is to provide stronger, more aggressive and comprehensive low income programs for those customers who most need rate assistance.  

On June 1, 2015, Staff filed a Report on the results of its examination, including a Straw Proposal for a new statewide approach to low-income programs that addresses design and implementation elements including eligibility, enrollment processes, benefit structures, rate discount levels, treatment of participant arrears, reconnection fees, budgeting, and cost recovery. 

Some highlights of the Straw Proposal include the following:

• Automatic enrollment for all utility HEAP recipients

• Discount amounts set to achieve a 6% energy burden for the average participant

• A funding limit equal to the amount recovered by annual charges of $20 per customer (electric), or $35 per customer (gas), collected from all customers

• Further study of arrearage forgiveness programs, and

• Prohibition of charging reconnection fees
  

The Staff Low Income Report may be obtained from the Commission's website, www.dps.ny.gov by entering the Low Income Proceeding case number (14-M-0565) into the Search field on the homepage.

Public Involvement

The Commission strongly believes that obtaining public input regarding energy affordability is critical to developing a rational and balanced approach to meet the needs of the vulnerable customers.  Stakeholders such as consumers, government agencies and officials, public interest and consumer advocate groups and industry representatives are invited to review and comment on Staff’s Report and Straw Proposal. 

The Commission will hold a series of hearings across the state where all those wishing to comment on the Staff Report and Straw Proposal will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record.  The hearings are as followings:

Additional Methods for Commenting on the Case

• Via the Internet or In Writing:  Submit comments electronically to Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at [email protected] or by mail or delivery to Secretary Burgess at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case by locating the case via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search,” and entering 14-M-0565 in the “Search by Case Number” field.  After clicking to open the case, enter comments in the “Post Comments” section located at the top of the page. 

• Toll-Free Opinion Line:  Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s toll-free Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This line is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day.  Callers should press “1” to leave comments about “Case 14-M-0565 Low Income Proceeding”.  

 All comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission.  Comments will be accepted at any point while this proceeding is pending, but are requested by October 16, 2015 to ensure full consideration.