Treyger, Lentol, Montgomery Addresses Con Ed Cutoffs
Williamsburg Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Bed-Stuy State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery and Coney Island City Councilman Mark Treyger and their staffs were among the elected officials, yesterday, to attend a training on how to keep low-income residents from getting their electricity turned off due to not paying or falling to far behind on their electric bill.
In 2014, Con Edison issued more than 7,600 electricity shutoff notices per day, and a total of approximately 7,000 households had their energy supply terminated each month.
The staff members were trained in the basics of the Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA), crafted by the Public Utility Law Project (PULP), a non-profit organization that advocates for universal service, affordability, and customer protections for New York State utility consumers.
HEFPA, and the rules and practices the Public Service Commission (PSC) created, are what can help low-income utility consumers through the tough times when they’re threatened with high bills and terminations.
“During the hot summer months, utility bills are often extraordinarily high,” said Lentol. “Those who are the most adversely affected from these high bills are low-income households. The rights of individuals disputing their utility bills are not clear, especially when it comes to paying for exorbitantly high utility bills. I applaud the Public Utility Law Project for co-hosting this great event so my staff members and the staff of other elected officials can effectively advocate on their constituents’ behalf.”
“Everyone’s energy use is going up and that means all our bills may be going up, too. But thanks to the work of the Public Utility Law Project my staff will be better able to help our constituents with any questions or problems they may have,” said Montgomery.
“Between high electric rates and severe weather, far too many New Yorkers face the prospect of having their electricity shut off at no fault of their own,” said Treyger. “I am proud to partner with Public Utility Law Project to help ensure that my constituents are aware of their rights as consumers and the resources available to help prevent their electric service from being terminated during our city’s sweltering summers or incredibly harsh winters.”
Lander, Levin Highlight Legislation With Reusable Bag Giveaway
Park Slope City Council Member Brad Lander and Downtown Brooklyn Council Member Stephen Levin, yesterday, gave away free reusable bags at Sahadi’s, a locally-owned Middle Eastern grocery store in continuous operation on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue since 1948.
The bag distribution was part of a joint effort to encourage reusable bag use and educate shoppers about a proposed bill, co-sponsored by Lander to place a 10-cent charge on single use plastic and paper bags.
The Brooklyn Council Members were joined at the event by representatives from the Atlantic Avenue BID (Business Improvement District), and the Citizens Committee for New York City, who generously provided the reusable bags that were given away.
“Local business owners across New York like Charlie Sahadi support a ten cent charge on plastic bags because they know it’s a good policy, and one that will not negatively impact their business,” said Lander. “Each year, New Yorkers use 5.2 billion carryout bags—over 600 bags per New Yorker —and the city spends over $10 million on the disposal of plastic bag waste. These bags end up in our waterways, where they harm wildlife, and in our streets, where they clog drains. Adding a 10-cent charge on single-use carryout bags will address these problems by helping New Yorkers of all income levels, and all neighborhoods, switch to reusable bags.
“I strongly support this legislation that will curtail the usage of plastic bags, reduce pollution of plastics, and protect our environment here in New York City. Thanks to Sahadi’s and all the other businesses in the Atlantic Avenue BID for their support on this issue,” said Levin.
Squadron Proposes Bill Allowing Access of Police Body Camera Recordings
Northern Brooklyn State Sen. Daniel Squadron and Manhattan Assemblymember Dan Quart, today, will announce legislation to allow recordings from police body cameras to be publicly accessible under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) with identifying information redacted.
The legislation is one answer to calls for greater transparency and privacy protections regarding body camera recordings between police officers and citizens, the lawmakers said.
The bill will be announced at 1:30 p.m. today on the City Hall Steps.
St. Francis College On Money Magazine’s Best College List
Downtown Brooklyn’s St. Francis College was again recognized on Money Magazine’s Best College’s List for affordability and value.
The recognition comes in the same week that St. Francis was selected as one of America’s Top Colleges by Forbes, the eighth year in a row the College has made that list.
The A- from Money is a Value Added Grade which the magazine says measures “how well students at each school did vs. what would be expected given their economic and academic backgrounds and the institution’s mix of majors.”
The Forbes listing points out that, “Because of its proximity to Manhattan, students are surrounded by professional internship opportunities” and makes special mention of the various centers and institutions at St. Francis like the Women’s Studies Center and the Institute for Peace and Justice.
“Both of these magazines are focused on making good investments,” said St. Francis College President Brendan J. Dugan ’68. “We are proud they recognize the value of getting an education at St. Francis. Our goal is to provide an affordable education with generous scholarships and to give our students the opportunities they need to succeed. Money and Forbes are telling people that our strategy is working.”
Part of the value of St. Francis College comes from academic programs that respond to changing careers paths. One of the fastest growing majors at St. Francis is Health Care Management, while the College’s first White Coat ceremony this past spring shows its commitment to educating the next generation of nurses. A strong emphasis is also placed on social entrepreneurship and instilling the importance of giving back into any venture.
St. Francis holds its next Open House, Sunday, October 25 sfc.edu/openhouse.
