RESA Statement on NY PSC Moratorium on Service To Low-Income Customers

The Retail Energy Supply Association issued the following statement in response to the New York PSC's moratorium on service to Assistance Program Participant (APP) customers:

"The Retail Energy Supply Association defends the right of all customers to access the competitive market. We are continuing to review the order with our members and legal counsel.

"RESA looks forward to working with the PSC and other stakeholders to develop policies ensuring that all customers, regardless of income, have equal access to the benefits of competitive electricity and natural gas choice. We support policies that provide all customers competitive market options, including innovative energy solutions like fixed-price products, green energy options and smart home technologies.

"If maintained, the moratorium would prevent low-income customers from accessing fixed-price energy offers that provide price certainty when compared to New York utilities’ monthly variable rates. This is a benefit that is of particular value to consumers on fixed or limited incomes. By way of this order the commission has taken away the low-income consumer’s ability to enter into fixed rates just before the potentially volatile winter months when we know from experience that utility default rates can fluctuate widely in response to extreme weather. "