HomeMy WebLinkAboutG - 03 Communications NYSEG/RG&E Late Payment Charge Suspension
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NYSEG AND RG&E ANNOUNCE LATE PAYMENT CHARGE SUSPENSION FOR
WINTER HEATING SEASON
Measure will alleviate hardships associated with winter supply pricing increases
BINGHAMTON, New York — November 28, 2022 — In response to current market
conditions that have raised energy supply prices, NYSEG and RG&E will suspend late
payment charges from December 1, 2022 through April 15, 2023 for all customers.
“Our electricity and natural gas delivery rates are expected to remain steady through the
winter, but supply prices are expected to climb” said Patricia Nilsen, president and CEO of
NYSEG and RG&E. “To alleviate the financial hardship this will cause during the winter
heating season, we have elected to waive late payment charges on customer bills for this
period.”
NYSEG and RG&E do not own generation, but procure energy on the open market, which
has experienced rising prices due to increased fuel prices, supply constraints, and global
events. The companies don’t realize any financial benefit from supply charges, as supply
charges are passthrough costs that represent the actual cost of purchasing the energy to
deliver to customers.
“Suspending charges for late payments is a measure we take to ease financial burdens on
our customers during extraordinary circumstances,” said Pedro Azagra, CEO of
AVANGRID. “We recognize that New Yorkers depend on the essential utilities we provide,
and we want to partner with them to ensure uninterrupted service.”
NYSEG and RG&E make deferred payment agreements available for eligible customers.
We can help with payment plans for eligible customers, which are available online or by
calling us so we can find a solution together.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Emergency HEAP are federal grant
programs that help income eligible households pay for energy bills, repairs, and
weatherization. If you receive HEAP benefits, you are automatically enrolled in the utility’s
Energy Assistance Program, which provides for monthly credits on your utility bill. As an
additional benefit in 2022, if you are enrolled by December 31, 2022, and you have unpaid
balances for services through May 1, 2022, you will receive a one-time bill credit as part of
the Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program. We encourage customers to apply now.
The Public Service Commission estimates on average a residential electric customer using
600 kWh per month in New York is expected to pay about $75 per month for supply this
winter, up 42 percent from the same period a year ago. Residential Gas customers using
732 therms of natural gas can expect to pay an estimated $240 per month during the winter
heating season. This is an increase of about 30 percent over the same period last year. But
note the actual amount will vary widely by region due to the weather. A colder-than-normal
winter will cause usage and bills to increase.
Customers have options for their electricity and/or natural gas supply. Information on
choosing an electricity or natural gas supplier is available at nyseg.com/choice and
rge.com/choice. We encourage customers to consult with their supplier for information on
winter supply prices.
NYSEG and RG&E are subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc.
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About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of
AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of
electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than
40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas
distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately
894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information,
visit www.nyseg.com.
About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of
AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of
electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates
approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas
transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000
natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of
Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com.
About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable
energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately
$40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of
business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and
operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in
New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of
renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs
more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021 and 2022 as
one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2022,
AVANGRID ranked second within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment
and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable
Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022
for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit
www.avangrid.com.
Media Contacts:
• Shelby Cohen, NYSEG and RG&E Communications
shelby.cohen@avangrid.com
607-788-6785
2022202 ,2022