The Peru Gazette

Legislation S.7230/A.6762 Puts Money Back Into New Yorkers’ Pockets and Protects Consumers From Unfair Business Practices by Energy Services Companies

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to allow energy services company (ESCO) customers to easily claim owed funds and prevent ESCOs from holding onto such money indefinitely. Specifically, this bill prevents any bad actors in the ESCO industry from retaining customer refunds that the Public Service Commission has ordered the ESCO to provide to its customers in situations where the customer is no longer served by the ESCO and the ESCO is unable to contact the customer. This legislation aligns ESCOs with standards already required of utilities.

“I’ll never stop fighting to lower costs for families — that’s why I’m signing legislation to bring down energy bills, protect consumers and hold energy services companies accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “These reforms will end the practice of bad actors retaining refunds owed to customers, ensuring New Yorkers get their money returned.”

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “This action by Governor Hochul reinforces New York’s history of consumer protection through real, tangible changes that prevent ESCOs from taking advantage of everyday New Yorkers. Before this legislation, there was little incentive for ESCOs that no longer operated in New York to continue reaching out to customers to return unclaimed funds. These changes enhance the ability of the Commission to act on consumers’ behalf.”