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New York announces a new program to help you save money on your electric bills

New York announces a new program to help you save money on your electric bills

NEW YORK (WKBW) – New York State has announced a new program to help you save money on your electric bills.

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved a request from the New York Power Authority to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. The program aims to provide utility bill credits to low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities.

The governor’s office said the PSC created a regulatory framework that allows electric utilities to receive funds from the Power Authority to credit the electric bills of low-income ratepayers in disadvantaged communities.

“My administration continues to work tirelessly to ensure New York State remains an affordable place to live and do business. The NYPA REACH program will help ensure low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities are not left behind as we make the critical transition to a clean energy economy.”

– Governor Hochul

The program will use the same structure as the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and the Statewide Solar for All program, which the governor’s office says will reduce program administration costs and allow low-income ratepayers to receive more funding.

“REACH directly benefits low-income electric ratepayers in disadvantaged communities by harnessing renewable energy production from distributed energy sources in their communities or from large-scale renewable projects across the state’s electric grid. The bill credits will be funded by a portion of revenue from new renewable energy generation projects developed by NYPA and earmarked for REACH.”

– Justin E. Driscoll, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority

The governor’s office said the PSC directed electric utilities to initially enroll EAP-eligible low-income customers in disadvantaged communities and then expand enrollment to all low- and moderate-income customers regardless of location as more resources become available.

“The PSC fights every day to protect consumer interests, and the program approved today is a step in that fight. Authorizing implementation of the REACH program allows NYPA to make progress toward the state’s clean energy goals and ensures that low-income customers in disadvantaged communities have access to renewable energy and directly benefit from NYPA’s new program.”

– Rory M. Christian, Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission