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Temporary Assistance Fund (S.1932/A.6355)
The Energy Association of NYS
Temporary Assistance Fund (S.1932/A.6355)
By Senator Golden and Mr. Tonko
Support
June 20, 2005
The Energy Association of New York State, whose members are major electric and gas corporations in the state, supports this legislation which would establish a new fund to provide temporary assistance to energy customers having short term difficulties paying their electric and gas bills.
Specifically, this bill would authorize the Comptroller to transfer monies from the abandoned property fund to a newly established “unclaimed electric and gas utility trust fund.” The amount to be transferred would be equal to the amount of unclaimed funds remitted to the Comptroller by electric and gas companies. The bill would authorize the Division of Housing and Community Renewal to designate a non-profit energy assistance organization that would receive monies available from the fund to provide, on a statewide basis, financial assistance to persons having short term difficulties paying their electric and gas bills.
In addition to existing governmental programs such as LIHEAP, Energy Association member companies provide numerous programs and services in an effort to assist low-income customers in meeting their electric and gas needs. These programs and services include, among other things, billing assistance, good neighbor funds, payment plans, and community development and outreach programs. The establishment of an “unclaimed electric and gas utility trust fund” will provide an additional avenue of assistance for customers in need of short-term financial support for paying their electric and gas bills. However, to the extent possible, we strongly encourage the utilization of existing program distribution resources so as to minimize any administrative or organizational costs related to the fund and maximize the amount of monies benefiting the intended recipients.
For these reasons, the Energy Association supports this bill and respectfully requests that it receive favorable consideration.
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