Cahill: Protect your family from rising energy costs photo

snowflake Conserve energy and keep money in your pocket this winter

photo In New York State, roughly 3 million customers use natural gas and another 1.5 million customers use oil to heat their homes. According to testimony submitted to the Assembly’s Energy and Consumer Protection committees, natural gas and oil bills will increase 30 percent while electricity bills are expected to rise 10 to 20 percent this winter.

Assemblymember Cahill is urging residents of the Hudson Valley to take action now before winter arrives in order to conserve energy and save money.

Assemblymember Cahill has introduced legislation (A.9065) to help ease the anticipated burden of this winter’s home heating costs for those families and individuals least equipped to handle the surge in energy prices. The bill would direct the surplus revenues collected through the sales tax on motor fuels to a temporary state program that would issue one-time energy relief grants to households participating in the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Working families, Seniors and people with disabilities should not be forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table or paying for prescriptions, especially when New York State has the resources to step in and provide relief.



flame What you can do to keep costs down

photo Below are steps you can take to control heating bills and conserve energy so that there is money in your budget to keep warm this winter.

  • Have your heating system serviced by a reputable company annually
  • Replace filters in your heating system once a month during heating season
  • Install a programmable thermostat or turn down your thermostat if leaving home for more than two hours and when going to bed
  • Insulate attics, walls, ceilings, and floors
  • Open drapes/shades during the day and close them at night
  • Caulk windows, replace broken windows and weather-strip doors
  • Close fireplace damper when not in use
  • Remove window air conditioners during cold months or cover unit with plastic inside and out
  • Close off unused rooms
  • Avoid blocking wall or floor heating registers and clean them regularly
  • Seal and insulate ductwork
  • Reduce water heater temperature to 125 degrees
  • Insulate hot water heaters and pipes

You might have an opportunity to further reduce your natural gas or electric rates by choosing a different supplier. For a listing of competitive natural gas and electricity suppliers and a comparison chart, visit www.askpsc.com and click on the "Power to Choose" logo, or call 1-888-275-7721.



house Make your home more energy efficient

photo If you own your own home, you may be eligible for low-interest financing to make energy efficient improvements throughout your home.

New York State’s "EnergySmart" Program offers the "Home Performance Program with Energy Star"- where a participating contractor will inspect your home and provide energy improvement recommendations, as well as do the work. Contractors identify, through a home energy audit, a variety of home energy efficiency problems such as:

  • Poor insulation
  • Wasted and unbalanced heat
  • Ineffective moisture control
  • Faulty heating equipment
  • Air leakage

For more information about the "EnergySmart" program or participating contractors for the "Home Performance Program with Energy Star," please visit www.getenergysmart.org.

Low-interest loans and other financial incentives are available at www.nyserda.org/loanfund or call 1-866-697-3732.

gears Get the help you need to heat your home
HEAP

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for renters and homeowners to assist in meeting home energy heating costs. There are income eligibility levels, depending on the number of persons in the household and other housing requirements to participate. For more information about these programs, please call 1-800-342-3009 or visit http://www.otda.state.ny.us/otda/heap/default.htm.

Other offices that assist with HEAP benefits are:

  • NYS Office for the Aging, 1-800-342-9871
  • Ulster County Office for the Aging (845) 340-3456
  • Dutchess County Office for the Aging (845) 486-2555
  • NYS Department of Family Assistance, visit www.dfa.state.ny.us
  • Public Utility Law Project (PULP), visit www.pulpny.org
Weatherization Assistance Program

The Division of Housing and Community Renewal manages the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps income-eligible families reduce costs through energy efficiency measures. These measures include air sealing like weather stripping and caulking, insulation, heating system improvements or replacement, improvements in lighting efficiency and refrigerator replacements with Energy Star rated units. This program is based on income and household size with priority given to Senior citizens, families with children and persons with disabilities. For more information visit http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ or call 1-866-275-3427.

Emergency Energy Assistance

To avoid electric and gas shutoffs, contact the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) Senior Center at 1-800-342-3355 or visit www.askpsc.com.

The American Red Cross manages the Care and Share Energy Fund for emergency energy assistance through its local Red Cross Chapters. In the Hudson Valley, please call 845-338-7020.


Assemblyman Cahill
Assemblymember Kevin Cahill
Governor Clinton Bldg., Suite G-4, 1 Albany Ave.,
Kingston, NY 12401

(845) 338-9610

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