A BEVY of homeowners are up in arms over a new policy that could take money out of their bank accounts when it comes to utility bills – and they haven’t been shy about saying so.
A policy in New York is set to give those who make as much as or less than $80,000 a year a discount on their utility bills.
So what’s the problem? Those who make over that amount will essentially be subsidizing the discount.
The new energy policy, which has been in the works for roughly two years, now has several opponents speaking out about the impact it could have on their livelihoods
THE INS AND OUTS OF THE POLICY
The new program, which is specific to residents of New York, was officially codified by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), serving as an alternative to state denizens who don’t qualify for the already-existing Energy Affordability Program (EAP).
In short, those deemed eligible will not have to pay more than six percent of their total income on utility bills, according to the PSC website.
Governor Kathy Hochul served as a strong proponent of the initiative.
“The Public Service Commission heeded Governor Hochul’s call to make energy utilities more affordable by expanding the eligibility for utility bill discounts to all households with income below the state median income,’’ PSC Public Information Officer James Denn told Syracuse.com.
Despite the relief granted to those who earn less than the New York income median, it seems to have angered those who make above that amount – and ultimately have to subsidize it.
The ones most affected, while homeowners, appear to be retirees.
“My husband and I are retired. We make over that amount of income. We pay taxes, grocery bills. I mean, there’s only so much money to go around,” said Lisa Moore, a resident of Syracuse, NY, in an interview with a local news outlet.
“We worked our whole lives,” she added. “When does it come time that the people who have worked and worked and worked get a break?”
Others appeared to praise the bill in theory, but had qualms about it in practice – among them Bill Ferris, a New York state legislative representative for AARP, a nonprofit that advocates for people above the age of 50.
“We think that there at least should be some resources coming from the governor and the legislature to pay for this benefit, which is a very good benefit,” Ferris said.
Yet others remained cynical.
“I am on track for a 130% higher bill this month due to last month’s higher [temperatures],” claimed a poster in the article’s comment section, calling the whole thing a “money grab.”
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
What are the utility bill discount eligibility requirements?
According to the PSC website, residents who qualify must make the same or below the New York median income, which is $80,000. Residents who qualify and live in either Nassau County or New York City have slightly different requirements; they must earn under or meet the median income particular to those areas. Applicants for the new program cannot meet the requirements for the Energy Affordability Program, which is for residents at or below the poverty line. The PSC estimates that 1.6 million New York households will benefit from the new policy.You can find further information here.
CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING UTILITY COSTS
Indeed, climate change is likely playing a role in rising utility costs in New York, and probably beyond state borders.
A sizable portion can be attributed to rising temperatures during the summer months.
In response, those with central air conditioning, air conditioning units, and even fans use more energy than in the past, and with higher energy use comes higher utility costs.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2024 was the hottest summer on record in the Northern Hemisphere.
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