NYSEG, RG&E want to raise the temperature threshold for disconnecting customers, citing lost collection opportunities
Avangrid, dad or mum firm for NYSEG and RG&E instructed state regulators they want to raise the temperature disconnection threshold kind 85° to 90°.
BUFFALO, NY — Utility corporations NYSEG and RG&E want to raise the temperature threshold for disconnecting buyer energy in New York State, in accordance to testimony with the Public Service Commission.
Avangrid, the dad or mum firm of each NYSEG and RG&E, cited lost collection opportunities as a cause for the request to enhance the threshold.
Right now, Avangrid’s settlement with state regulators says that they can not shut off energy to a buyer who is likely to be late on a invoice if the temperature is above 85° or beneath 32°.
According to testimony throughout a February 11 evidentiary listening to, Avangrid needs to change that.
“In 2024, under the current restrictions, NYSEG was unable to disconnect customers for nonpayment on 19 (17%) of otherwise available days, and RG&E was unable to disconnect customers on 18 (16%) of otherwise available days,” a panel of Avangrid administration instructed a panel of Avangrid administration.
The panel from Avangrid included:
- Christine D. Alexander – Vice President, Customer Service
- Nelly Jefferson – Chief Information Officer
- Joseph M. Sayre – Manager of Economic Development
- Kumar Jaladanki – Director of SAP Competency and Customer Service
- Craig J. Paterson – Vice President, Customer Experience and Digital
- Nancy A. Zurell – Project Director, Smart Grids
“Using the proposed 90-degree threshold, NYSEG would have been able to disconnect customers on 18 additional days in 2024 and RG&E would have been able to disconnect customers on 19 additional days in 2024, resulting in additional collections.”
Avangrid testified that it might have been in a position to gather greater than $12M from prospects if it had been allowed to disconnect when the temperature was above 85° in 2024.
Avangrid argues that as a result of they’ve a unique threshold in contrast to different utilities, they’re at a drawback.
“The Companies maintain that the current 85°F threshold is the lowest in the State and unduly restricts our ability to manage accounts in default,” the Avangrid panel testified. “The proposed 90°F threshold is consistent with what other major utilities in New York are currently using, ensuring alignment with industry practice and fairness across” [the state]”
The Public Service Commission is anticipated to problem an order this week regulating disconnection thresholds altogether, so all utility corporations are following the identical guidelines.
According to testimony from the listening to, Avangrid didn’t do any further evaluation on the affect this variation would have on prospects.
“MR. MUSICH: “Have the Companies carried out any evaluation on well being and security dangers of shifting the threshold from eighty-five to ninety, that you just’re conscious of?”
MS. ALEXANDER (Avangrid): “None that I know of. We have not.”
2 On Your Side reached out to Avangrid for an announcement about the proposed change. A spokesperson puzzled if we should always maintain off reporting till the Public Service Commission held its assembly this week and presumably issued an order.
