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Special Payment Programs Available to Central Hudson Customers
Several payment programs are available to customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. who may require assistance in managing their utility bills. “We encourage our customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties to contact us so that we may advise them of the various payment programs we offer to help them stay current with their utility bills,” said Charles A. Freni, Senior Vice President of Customer Services. “These programs can be especially helpful now, as some of our customers may be carrying unpaid balances from their winter heating bills, which often reflect high energy use associated with the colder weather. It is important that customers address any past due balance immediately, before the amount becomes too high and payments become unmanageable.”
Market supply prices for electricity and natural gas this winter were higher than last year, and temperatures were slightly colder, a combination that may have resulted in higher bills. “The weather was colder, as the number of heating degree days, which is a measure of cold weather, was 5 percent higher than last year,” said Freni.
“In addition, market prices for energy this winter were 11 to 16 percent higher than those of last winter. Electricity and natural gas supply costs make up about two-thirds of utility bills. Central Hudson doesn’t mark up the market prices of these commodities and has virtually no control over their supply costs, which are determined by the energy market,” he said.
“Fluctuations in energy prices can have a profound effect on bills, and are the major driver of electricity and natural gas costs,” Freni explained. “For example, falling energy prices in April and early May have led to a decrease in typical residential bills compared to last year,” he said.
The total for a typical residential bill of 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity decreased by 10 percent compared to March, and 12 percent compared to one year ago. The typical residential natural gas bill, based on an annual usage of 100 thousands of cubic feet and averaged over 12 months, decreased by 36 percent compared to last March, and 25 percent compared to one year ago.
Special payment programs offered to help customers facing financial difficulties include:
Budget Billing – Spreads estimated annual payments for electric and natural gas bills evenly over 12 months to avoid seasonal billing fluctuations. Payments are uniform over 11 months based on actual usage history, and the bill for the 12th month includes an annual adjustment, if required, to reflect the actual usage and price for the year.
Deferred Payment Agreements – Allows eligible customers with past-due amounts to pay monthly installments without interest or penalty, provided future bills are paid in full and on time. Deferred payment agreements can be combined with Budget Billing for consistent monthly payments for both past-due and current charges.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - Provides both regular and emergency financial grants to eligible households to help pay heating and/or utility bills. HEAP benefits are funded through federal and state agencies, and administered by county governments. This year, customers may receive up to three HEAP grants, if eligible. Seniors should contact their local Office of the Aging, and all others should contact their local Department of Social Services. This season’s HEAP program is expected to close on May 15, 2009.
The Good Neighbor Fund - Provides a "last resort" grant to help pay the energy bills of residential customers who have exhausted all other forms of public and private assistance. It is funded by customer contributions, matched by Central Hudson’s shareholders, and administered by The Salvation Army.
The Powerful Opportunity Program (POP) - Reduces past due balances and future monthly bills through a payment assistance program designed to help eligible residential customers who heat their homes with electricity or natural gas. The POP program is partnered with EmPower New Yorksm, a free service sponsored by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority to help customers lower their energy usage.
This past winter, Central Hudson offered a supplemental grant of $200 to customers receiving HEAP benefits toward their utility accounts, and an additional $100 grant to those who participated or qualified for the Powerful Opportunities Program. “These grants were in addition to HEAP benefits, and provided additional assistance to eligible families facing financial difficulties this year,” said Freni.
For more information click here, ” or call Central Hudson’s PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or
1-800-527-2714.
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