9 November Winter Utility Bill Programs Available Through NYS Dept. of Public Service November 9, 2022 By Town Clerk . Community News, General 0 Please click HERE to learn more about the Winter Utility Bill Programs Available Through NYS Dept. of Public Service. Related Articles NYS Dept of Public Service Info Click here to learn more about NYS Dept of Public Service Information. O&R: Rising Winter Energy Prices Push Utility Bills Higher Please click HERE to read more about O&R: Rising Winter Energy Prices Push Utility Bills Higher. O&R To Resume Credit and Collection Activity Including Termination of Service for Unpaid Bills O&R To Resume Credit and Collection Activity Including Termination of Service for Unpaid Bills After a pause to allow for the development of the New York Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program, Orange and Rockland (O&R) will resume credit and collection activity today (June 27) for residential customers that are not currently enrolled in a low income energy bill payment assistance program. The credit and collections activity may include the termination of service for past due arrears. The best way for customers to avoid termination of service is to contact O&R at 1-877-434-4100 and make a payment arrangement. As a reminder, customers that are not currently enrolled in one of the low income energy bill payment assistance programs and believe they may qualify, can learn more through our website at Payment Plans and Assistance | Orange & Rockland or by contacting us at 1-877-434-4100. Please contact your local Regional and Community Affairs Manager if you need assistance. O&R: Heating Prices Rise as the Winter Approaches; Planning Remains the Key to Saving Money, Energy PEARL RIVER, NY Nov. 1, 2021 4:30 p.m. --- Orange & Rockland (O&R) is urging its 130,000 natural gas and its 226,450 electric customers to use energy efficiently this winter with bills projected to be higher than last winter. The increase is due mainly to higher natural gas supply costs for both natural gas and electric customers as natural gas is one of the main fuels that power the production of electricity. O&R does not set supply costs and does not make a profit on the supply. The company analyzes supply and demand forecasts and uses a variety of buying methods, including short-term and long-term contracts, to get the best natural gas prices for its customers. O&R provides the commodity to customers at cost. The cost of natural gas has increased as the demand for the commodity has increased, exports have increased, and severe weather has hindered production in the Gulf of Mexico area. These and other factors have caused a decline in the amount of gas in storage in the United States. Based on comparing the forecasted winter 2021-2022 to the prior three-year average of bills, the following would be the increase: A residential customer using on average 600 kWh per winter month will see an average monthly bill increase from $122.97 to $144.20, or 17.3% as compared to the average of the prior three winters. A residential customer using on average 177 Ccf per winter month will see an average monthly bill increase from $232.52 to $273.92, or 17.8% as compared to the average of the prior three winters. The key to controlling home energy costs is managing usage. That becomes more important with costs rising. To help O&R’s natural gas and electric customers further manage their winter energy costs, O&R offers the following O&R Advises To make natural gas work harder for you, it makes sense to have a qualified heating contractor or plumber clean and inspect your heating system before winter sets in. An efficiently burning heating system not only makes your natural gas dollars go farther, but it’s cleaner and safer. Taking steps to tighten up insulation by using weather-stripping at all attic stairwells and access points and stopping cold air infiltration from electric switch and plug outlets by using draft blockers can also pay off. In addition, double-checking all points where heat enters a room to make sure, draperies, furniture or other obstacles do not interfere with the free flow of heat is a practical, easy way to help. And, you can take advantage of your smart meter by viewing your detailed energy usage and customized energy savings tips located in your online account at www.oru.com to more effectively manage your household energy dollars. Those tips, and other energy conservation and efficiency steps, gain greater importance if extreme cold weather, or other supply factors develop over the winter. What can residential customers do to further control their energy costs? Shop for alternate energy suppliers which may or may not provide you with a cheaper price on energy purchases. For more information about energy shopping, go to www.oru.com and the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) website at www.newyorkpowertochoose.com. In addition, to better manage the monthly utility bill to avoid unpredictable bills that result from seasonal usage variations, sign up for O&R’s Budget Billing program. Budget Billing does not reduce your overall energy expense. It simply lets you spread out your annual energy expense over a 12-month period (with updates every six months) and lets you know ahead of time what your monthly payment will be. That makes managing the household budget much easier. And for convenient shopping for energy-saving household products, it’s hard to beat the My ORU Store www.myorustore.com. It’s a digital marketplace that offers O&R’s residential customers a wide variety of energy-saving household products including LED lights, water/energy saving devices, advanced power strips, smart thermostats and connected home products. The My ORU Store makes saving energy and money, both easy and affordable. For additional information about other energy efficiency and free winter energy saving tips, visit O&R’s website at www.oru.com/save. O&R reminds the public that anyone who smells natural gas should leave the area immediately and call 911 or O&R’s emergency gas hotline at 1-800-533-LEAK (5325). Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. O&R is a regulated utility that provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange & Rockland) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company), and natural gas service to approximately 130,000 customers in New York. Public Notice RE: 2023 Drainage District Order Calling for Public Hearing Please click here for information RE: 2023 Drainage District Order Calling for Public Hearing. ** Due to the multiple pages, once on the homepage, please hover over Resources (top right), scroll to Document Center, Town Board, Public Notices, 2023. ORANGE & ROCKLAND HELPS CUSTOMERS MANAGE ENERGY COSTS ORANGE & ROCKLAND HELPS CUSTOMERS MANAGE ENERGY COSTS Payment Plans, Energy Efficiency Programs & Savings Tips All Available PEARL RIVER, NY Feb. 13, 2023 9 a.m. – Orange & Rockland (O&R) offers its customers relief from the volatility of energy prices with its Budget Billing program, energy savings tips and more. “Helping customers manage their energy costs is one of the most important things we do,” said Janette Espino, O&R’s Vice President – Customer Service. “We are here to help customers select the right payment options and the energy efficiency upgrades that are right for them.” Payment Assistance The company offers Tips for Lowering Your Energy Bill and a number of Payment Plans and Assistance, including Budget Billing, which smooths customers’ costs out throughout the year. The company also encourages customers to check out its energy efficiency incentives for upgrades customers make to their homes. Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits Also, the company offers help for customers who are struggling with their bills. Orange & Rockland offers payment plans Payment Plans and Assistance, so that customers can pay off balances over time, rather than all at once. Bill Relief Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may qualify for discounts on their monthly energy bills. Orange & Rockland offers information on these and other Payment Plans and Assistance it has available for customers. Manage Energy Use The best money-saving strategy on the monthly energy bill for Orange & Rockland’s approximately 233,000 electric and 130,000 natural gas customers is to carefully manage their usage. Customers can save money on energy by using these tips: Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Whether you are using a gas furnace or an electric heat pump, each degree lower decreases heating costs. Make sure heating vents are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or anything else that could obstruct the flow of heat. Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect your heating system. Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for your hot-air furnace and heat-pump. Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun's energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat. Replace conventional light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are up to 10 times more efficient and are widely available and affordable. Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED), one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. Orange & Rockland is a regulated electric and gas utility that serves approximately 244,000 electric customers and 131,460 natural gas customers in New York. For additional information about O&R, please visit O&R’s Web site at www.oru.com. Orange & Rockland serves the following communities in New York: Airmont, Bloomingburg, Blooming Grove, Chester Town, Chester Village, Chestnut Ridge, Clarkstown, Crawford, Deerpark, Florida, Forestburgh, Goshen Town, Goshen Village, Grand View, Greenwood Lake, Greenville, Harriman, Haverstraw Town, Haverstraw Village, Highland Falls, Highlands, Hillburn, Kaser, Kiryas Joel, Lumberland, Mamakating, Middletown, Minisink, Monroe Town, Monroe Village, Montebello, Mount Hope, New Hempstead, New Square, Nyack, Orangetown, Otisville, Palm Tree, Piermont, Pomona, Port Jervis, Ramapo, Sloatsburg, South Blooming Grove, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Stony Point, Suffern, Tuxedo Town, Tuxedo Park, Unionville, Upper Nyack, Wesley Hills, Wallkill, Warwick Town, Warwick Village, Washingtonville, Wawayanda, West Haverstraw, Woodbury, Woodbury Village, Wurtsboro. # # # Energy Prices Are Rising Across the U.S.: Here’s a Guide on How Customers Can Manage Their Winter Bills Spread payments out evenly across the year. A Budget Billing Plan Payment Plans and Assistance allows you to avoid large month-to-month changes in energy costs. Consider a payment agreement. A Payment Agreement can help you pay down an outstanding balance in manageable, monthly installments. Check your benefits. Find information about governmental assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Customers enrolled in assistance programs may be eligible for discounts on their energy bills through Payment Plans and Assistance Go energy efficient. Upgrade your lights, thermostats, and other appliances through our Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits exclusive to our customers. Manage your use. Register for My Account and log in via oru.com.com or oru. mobile app for an in-depth look at your hourly energy use. Get customized tips. Estimate Your Energy Usage can give you personalized tips and suggestions to help you improve efficiency and control costs this winter— and all year long. Choose your energy supplier. Orange & Rockland does not generate energy. We provide customers their energy at the same wholesale rate that we pay for it and don’t make a profit on supply costs. Customers can research and Shop for Energy Suppliers Comments are closed.