A new program seeks to help New Yorkers with their energy bills.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that the New York Public Service Commission has approved the New York Power Authority’s request to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program to provide electric bill credits for low-income households in disadvantaged communities.
“My administration remains steadfast in supporting that New York State remains an affordable place to live and do business,” Governor Hochul said. “The NYPA REACH program will help ensure that low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities will not be left behind as we make the critical transition to a clean-energy economy.”
The PSC has also established the regulatory framework to allow electric utilities to receive funds from the NYPA.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “REACH will directly benefit low-income electric ratepayers in disadvantaged communities using renewable generation from distributed energy sources in their communities or from large-scale renewable projects located throughout the state’s electric power grid. The bill credits will be funded from a portion of revenues from new renewable energy generation projects developed by NYPA and designated for REACH.”
The goal is to eventually expand enrollment to all low and moderate-income households, regardless of location.
New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “The PSC fights every day to protect the interests of consumers, and the program approved today is one step in that fight. Authorizing the implementation of the REACH program allows NYPA to make progress toward the State’s clean energy goals and ensures low-income customers in disadvantaged communities have access to renewable energy and directly benefit from NYPA’s new program.”
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