independent Democratic Conference Whip Chair Consumer Protection THE SENATE STATE OF NEW YORK H Committees: Alcoho!ism and Drug Abuse Energy and Telecommunications Eth cs 435 Th .,d A. - j ‘) .-. [ Rockiand OFflce: 10 South Main Street New C:ty NY’ 0956 18451 623-3627 Fax 835) 708-1101 ,.. --‘,!-.,..-- Finance DAVID CARLUCCI Investigations and Government Operat:ons Local Government Mental Health and Deveopmental Disabilities SENATOR, 38TH DISTRICT - Albany Office: Room 509. LOB Albany. NY 12241 15181 4>5.2991 Fax 518)426-5131 Westchester office: 2 church Street Ste 210 Ossining NY Iota? )914)94l204i Fetl9lalQ4i-2054 Rules \eiersnt, Homeland Security and Military Atlairs E-Mail Address: carluccgnnysenato gov February 16, 2018 Mr. Robert Sanchez President, Chief Executive Officer Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. 390 West Route 59 Spring Valley, NY 10977 Dear Mr. Sanchei, As a legislator who represents residents of Rockland and Westchester Counties, I take my constituents’ concerns very seriously and make every effort to advocate on their behalf. In recent days, my district office has received numerous calls from ratepayers who are appalled by their monthly utility bills. According to several of my constituents, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (Orange and Rockland) has billed them as much as $200 more than they anticipated. A monthly energy bill $200 more than expected is a tremendous financial burden to all individuals, especially senior citizens often living on fixed incomes. Even more alarming, Orange and Rockland appears to have made no announcement notifying customers that they would soon receive unacceptably high-energy bills. Aside from a brief message posted (2/14) to the Orange and Rockland twitter page done to promote the “Budget Billing” payment plan, my constituents were given little or no warning of the tremendous bills that they are now responsible for paying. Energy hills typically increase during winter months and ratepayers understand this, but the sudden and dramatic bills recently issued are not reasonable. As you are aware, “[clustomer complaints about bills for utility service, deposit requests or other problems shall first be made to the utility” and utilities are required to “promptly investigate any complaint in a fair manner and report the results to the complaint,” 16 NYCRR § 11.20. Pursuant to 16 NYCRR § 12.1, customers may file a complaint with the Public Service Commission’s Office of Consumer Services, “so the complaint can be investigated.” Respectfully, I request that Orange and Rockland review those utility bills most recently issued to customers for any potential errors or mistakes that may explain this billing increase. In addition, I ask that Orange and Rockland provide ratepayers with answers to the following questions: Has Orange and Rockland received similar complaints from customers and if so, are those complaints currently being investigated? ci For what reason did Orange and Rockiand raise utilities biLLs in such an unexpected manner? What, if any, steps will be taken to ensure that customer’s bills are not raised more than any amount that is necessary. What is Orange and Rockland’s policy for communicating massive monthly billing increases to customers, and how can this policy be improved? What, if any, payment options are available to assist customers in addition to “Budget Billing?” As you know, individuals and businesses must have access to heat and electricity, yet typically, they have few or no choices for utility providers. Because consumers have such limited choices for energy, the NYS Department of Public Service is tasked with considering and approving utility rates; such dramatic and unexpected increases in monthly energy bills indicate that New York’s ratepayers may not be receiving the protections against unfair energy costs that they deserve. For this reason, I ask that Orange and Rockland review the most recently issued customer bills and provide better information to their hardworking customers. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Vt Senator David Carlucci 38th Senate District Cc: Hon. John B. Rhodes, Chair, Chief Executive Officer NYS Department of Public Service Michael Corso, Chief Consumer Advocate LuAnn Scherer, Director, Office of Consumer Services