New York is urged to pay public's ballooning utility debt

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — At least 1.4 million households and other residential customers in New York are behind on electric and natural gas bills — a number that soared during the pandemic — and consumer advocates are calling on the state to pay off their ballooning debt with federal funding.

In the spring of 2020, New York passed the nation's only utility shut-off moratorium protecting heating, power water, cable and telephone customers. That moratorium expired Dec. 21, though existing state regulations restrict utilities from shutting off heat and electricity until April 15.

New Yorkers could see shut-offs in coming months.

Electricity and gas customers in New York owed nearly $1.8 billion as of January 2022, according to data reported by utilities to the State Public Service Commission. That's more than double their debt to utilities before the pandemic.

“I’m completely behind on utility bills, I’ve applied for every aid I could,” said New York City resident Helen Morley, 52, who provided a bill showing she owes nearly $1,400.

New Yorkers can avoid shut-offs by setting up payment plans with utilities. But only a fraction of customers — about 250,000 — have done so, according to the state data.

Morley said she’s been waiting for months for assistance from a state COVID-19 relief fund. She said she’ll be able to borrow money from family to get by, but is worried about those who can’t.

“How can they go this long. What’s going to happen?” she said.

Consumer advocates say federal and state governments must address utility debt that surged in 2020 and has continued to increase as fuel prices soar and inflation rises.

Debt could have severe consequences for society's most vulnerable. New York’s utility data doesn’t have...