The report, which analyzes data from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), also brings to light extreme variations among utilities regarding when they decide to terminate service as well as significant seasonal variations among utility termination practices. Only two utilities significantly slowed down their terminations for non-payment in cold weather months. The majority of the utilities terminated residential customer service over 50,000 times from December through March.

Additionally, AARP recently sent a letter to the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting that the organization reconsider FERC’s January 28th decision that could raise electricity prices for New York City residents. Approximately 800,000 AARP members live in New York’s five boroughs.

The price increases resulting from FERC’s actions would only make matters worse for New York’s residential consumers who struggle to pay their electric bills. AARP believes this decision does not address real world concerns of consumers and that the method used for setting prices may rely too much on abstract market theories rather than actual experience and future capacity needs.

For the past 20 years, AARP has been working on the federal and state levels to help people save money on their utility bills. For more information or to join us in the fight to stop unfair utility bill increases, email nyaarp@aarp.org or call toll free, 1-866-227-7442 and ask for the AARP NY Legislative Office.