SUN is working with the Public Utility Law Project (PULP) of Albany to overturn the National Grid policy for restoring power to customers with outstanding debt. After a break in service, the utility refuses to restore power to customers until the past-due bill is paid. This policy requires anyone with a back bill of over $1,000 to pay at least one grand before power can be turned on in their name. The utility refuses to negotiate or establish repayment plans. The international energy conglomerate refers to this policy as “The Grand Plan.”
PULP argues that this policy violates Public Service Commission regulations and is a form of double dipping, since National Grid’s rates are set to compensate the utility for uncollected payments. It is outrageous that this wealthy multinational corporation is sending families to local welfare offices and governmental subsidy programs to help collect money that the utility has been compensated for by its current ratepayers.
It is even more outrageous that National Grid allows families to suffer without heat and lights, refusing to even negotiate affordable repayment plans. Too many families in our community are either trying to survive without heat and electricity or are one step away from losing their service. The cost of heating oil and natural gas are predicted to increase significantly this winter.
SUN has helped one area family submit a complaint through PULP to the PSC. The family, a single working mother with two asthmatic children, had their power turned on after living with no utilities for over a month. They were not required to pay $1,000 up front. Just this morning SUN helped another family write up their protest and PULP submitted the paperwork to the Public Service Commission this afternoon.
If you are a family that is attempting to open energy service in your name and are being denied until you pay up front for an old, unpaid bill: call SUN at 476-7475 and we may be able to help.
