Riley to Utilities: Don't Leave Upstate Families in the Dark During Shutdown

ITHACA, NY — Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) today demanded public guarantees from New York’s major utility providers – including NYSEG, Central Hudson, and National Grid – that they will not shut off service, charge late fees or interest, or send accounts to collections for customers struggling to pay their bills because of the federal government shutdown.

“If these companies can afford executive bonuses and armies of lobbyists, then they can afford to give a little grace to working families who are already paying some of the highest utility bills in the country,” said Riley. “Upstate families shouldn’t have to worry about losing electricity or heat just so overseas investors can squeeze a few more dollars out of them.”

According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, an estimated 4,000 federal civilian employees live in New York’s 19th Congressional District — roughly one percent of the local workforce. That figure does not include federal contractors and small-business suppliers who are also facing missed or delayed payments.

Riley called on the utility companies to publicly commit that they will not:
• Shut off service for anyone who informs the utility that they are facing a financial hardship due to the federal government shutdown;
• Charge late fees or interest while federal paychecks are paused; or
• Send affected accounts to collections or report them to credit agencies.

“These companies have a chance to do the right thing, and I expect them to take it,” Riley added. 

Congressman Riley has sent written correspondence to each of the utilities requesting that they provide him with a public response by 5:00 PM on Monday, October 27.

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