Month: January 2010
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Utility Regulatory Assessments: The Time Has Come to Include VoIP and Wireless
The state budget crunch now facing New York has led Governor Paterson to propose draconian measures that would cut important services and programs for the poor. For example, he has […] -
Oceangate Tenants Ask PSC and DHCR to Halt Submetering and Conduct Environmental Impact Assessment Under SEQRA
The North Bay Tenants Association (NBTA) filed a Petition with the PSC on January 28, 2009 asking the PSC to halt implementation of electricity submetering at Oceangate, a 542 unit […] -
Governor Paterson Proposes Elimination of HEAP Weatherization Funding and HEAP Advisory Group
The WAP ProgramAccording to an HHS Report, low-income households in the Northeast pay approximately 22% of their annual income for home energy, while non low-income households pay about 5%. The […] -
NYSBA Task Force on Global Warming Recommendations Pose Risks to Lower Income Consumers
A New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Task Force on Global Warming has proposed measures that may be harmful to lower income consumers utility consumers. According to an article in […] -
TracFone Is Now New York’s Largest Telephone Lifeline Provider
According to data compiled by the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”), the FCC’s administrator of universal service funds and programs, the SafeLink service offered by TracFone Wireless now has more […] -
FERC ALJ Finds Amaranth Trader Manipulated Natural Gas Markets
FERC Administrative Law Judge Carmen Cintron issued a decision January 22, 2010 finding that Amaranth gas trader Brian Hunter manipulated the settlement prices in the NYMEX natural gas futures markets […] -
New York City Closes ESCO Electric Service Sales Tax Loophole; Will Other Localities and New York State be Next?
Background – The ESCO LoopholeIn general, state and local sales taxes apply to electric and natural gas service. The state Tax Law provides that residential energy sources and services exempt […] -
Assurance Wireless (Virgin Mobile) Offers Wireless Lifeline in New York
Yet another wireless provider has launched a Lifeline reduced price phone service for low-income customers in New York. Virgin Mobile, which received its authorization to offer Lifeline in New York […] -
Activist Supreme Court Reaches Out to Limit Consumer Objections to Wholesale Power Rates
Yesterday the Supreme Court reversed a decision of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that had allowed states and consumers to challenge a deal establishing new […]