This winter, natural gas prices will force a nationwide uptick in utility bills, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has begun launching a large-scale campaign to keep residents of the Commonwealth informed. Although residents may normally see a slight increase in both heating and electric costs as temperatures plummet, the rise we are expected to see is not within the “status quo” as far as winter costs go. While the AGO has released smaller campaigns in the past to help educate consumers on cost-cutting strategies, the unprecedented scale of the expected spike has their team looking for all the “nooks and crannies” to further this year’s outreach efforts.
Flyers, public service announcements, an official press release, and posts across various social media sites will be pushed out to reach the public by any means available. Materials will be translated into multiple languages, so non-native English speakers can be just as informed as their neighbors. “We really just want to get the information out there,” stressed Nathan Forster, chief of the Energy and Telecommunications Division. One of the first steps encouraged for all customers, regardless of income, is to call their utility provider, be it Eversource or National Grid. Anyone can set up a payment plan with their provider, which can help lessen the monthly load for those who may struggle financially, or even for those who are simply worried about the incoming price increase. Payment plans may also allow for outstanding bill forgiveness based on the customer’s past four weeks of income, cutting their overall debt.
“Another thing that we’ve stressed…[is] for consumers to be aware of offers from competitive electric suppliers,” Forster said, “They disproportionately market in communities that [speak] English as a second language.” The AGO often receives complaints from consumers who met with competitive suppliers and were unaware of what they were signing up for, resulting in millions of dollars being lost over time. Competitive supplier contracts typically boast short-term savings, then result in significant losses in the long run. One way to combat this is to always check your appliance bill. Some customers may be switched without their consent or knowledge, and remain unaware as their bills continue to come from Eversource or National Grid. However, by looking closely, you can see within the bill a space that lists the supplier, which can be separate from those two entities. If this ever happens, or if you are unsure of who your supplier is, you may call your company to confirm.
“Typically when the Attorney General speaks [about this], she speaks about people protecting their electric and gas accounts like their credit cards and social security numbers,” said Forster. It is advised that you never share your bill with anyone, especially over the phone. This is one way people can be tricked into being switched.
For those who are still struggling with bill payments, even with payment plans, there are federal options for low income households. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, can help residents by covering a portion of their utility bills. Applications are free, and can be utilized by both homeowners and renters. “We want everyone to know about [LIHEAP], because last year’s numbers were low,” said policy advisor Elizabeth Mahony. Mahony explained that the yearly winter shutoff moratorium, as well as COVID-19 relief payments and payment plans, resulted in fewer LIHEAP applicants. However, with the intense price spike they are preparing for, they are urging low income customers to utilize it.
Programs like LIHEAP, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, and structured payment plans are all efficient ways to receive help with utility payments, without being slammed at the end of the season with outstanding bills. The winter shutoff moratorium, which occurs every year from November 15 – March 15 (although it often extends into April), prevents residents from having their heating services cut off due to a lack of electric and gas payments. However, once the moratorium is over, customers are expected to cover all remaining bills that have been left unpaid during that period.
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is a program for residents who do not normally qualify as low income households for state and federal assistance, but that have had recent financial trouble and are in need of help. The program is handled by the Salvation Army. Both utility companies and residents alike contribute the money that is utilized for the fund.
For anyone that wants to begin thinking ahead to prepare for the coming winter utility prices, the place to start is to ask “how am I eligible?” From there, residents can figure out what level of assistance they may need or qualify for, and can be ready with a plan when their bills increase. This is not a typical price jump, nor is it going to be unique to Massachusetts. Across the nation, residents should be proactive to protect themselves from an abnormally expensive winter.
Corrections to this article were made 11/22
