As SUN wrote earlier, National Grid was abusing state regulations that protect low income rate payers by requiring a $1,000 deposit for families attempting to re-establish electricity after a break in service. National Grid called this the “Grand Plan.” Often, customers were forced to use HEAP benefits to pay back bills, rather than reduce current winter heat costs.
Well, thanks to an appeal to the Public Service Commission by the Public Utility Law Project (PULP), the “Grand Plan” requirement has been eliminated.
Three Syracuse families referred by SUN became part of the complaint filed by PULP to the Public Service Commission on behalf of 18 families that had been hurt by the “Grand Plan” rules. Now, families can turn on their power without being required to put down an exorbitant amount of money. They may be required to enter into a payment agreement to pay off their arrears, but those agreements are covered by the protections for low income customers provided by the state’s Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA).
