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It seems that Long Island Sandy victims have been kicked while they are down yet again in terms of their electricity costs. Customers have been reporting bills as high as $800 to over $1000.
This comes in wake of LIPA customers' shocking electricity bills seen in late November. Customers, some who were left without power for a month after the storm, received bills based on estimated meter readings. While this practice is common across the utility industry, many customers were outraged, as their lives and finances had already been disrupted by Sandy. Customers, of course, saw their bills adjusted the next month.
It turns out, many Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) customers turned to FEMA's STEP (Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power) Program for temporary solutions to heat their homes since the utility's infrastructure was damaged by flooding.
The STEP Program normally partners with utilities to provide assistance to low-income households, but the program also aids households that have been affected by natural disasters. When FEMA stepped in to help rescue Sandy victims, many LIPA customers were provided with electric space heaters and electric baseboards as a temporary solution to keep their homes warm and their pipes from freezing in the cold winter weather. While customers were grateful at first, few realized how inefficient the solution was.
LIPA Sandy victims have already been given a reduced electricity rate due to their circumstances, but the customers using inefficient heating solutions are now receiving bills that are three to four times higher than normal. LIPA has stated that customers can contact them regarding payment options for these bills.
Nassau County Officials have reported that they're working with LIPA to find a solution for these customers, either through energy grants or lowering the rate for Sandy victims who simply can't afford to pay these outrageous bills.