As the pandemic continues taking an economic toll, AARP is urging Governor Hochul and State Legislators to extend the State’s moratorium on essential utility shutoffs as proposed in S7668 Parker / A9306 Epstein and dedicate sufficient resources in the state budget to fully address the arrears crisis.
New York’s utility arrears crisis has ensnared more than 1.2 million households in New York, leaving them owing more than $1.7 billion combined in energy bill payments, and an unknown number of people owing money for their telephone, water, and high-speed internet bills.
Without action from state lawmakers, shutoffs could begin any day, potentially leaving more than a million homes without heat, hot water, or lights in the depths of winter and beyond.
Please urge your state lawmakers to extend the shutoff moratorium and dedicate sufficient resources to the state budget to help struggling New Yorkers out of this crisis.