1. RESPONDING TO SUBMETERING PETITIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc.
194 Washington Avenue, Suite 420
Albany, NY
Phone:
Fax:
Website:
May 2009

2. Tenants Facing Submetering

3. ORGANIZE & PLAN
Tenant Association, Tenant Committee; or Contact Person
Identify experts
Identify elected officials
Identify counsel

4. Resident Population Demographics
GET THE FACTS
Resident Population Demographics
Rent regulation status
Rent subsidy programs with utility allowances

5. Building Characteristics
GET THE FACTS
Building Characteristics
Electric heat
Landlord owned major appliances
AC, Refrigerator, Cook stove, Dishwasher, Water Heater
Thermal efficiency of building
Roof, Windows, doors, wall insulation

6. GET THE FACTS Regulatory Time Frame Landlord’s petition to submeter
SAPA Notice/Comment Period
Landlord’s notices & informational meetings

7. ACTION Provide submetering education to tenants
Contact elected officials

8. ACTION Submit timely written comments to PSC Request public hearing
Thermal efficiency of building
Landlord-owned appliance efficiency
Rent-regulation and utility allowance status
Public assistance payment acceptance
Request public hearing

9. ACTION Take discovery Building and apartment monthly usage data
Building usage data and bills, past 3 years
Communications: with DPS staff; NYSERDA
Building energy efficiency evaluations
Blind, disabled, elderly, life support residents

10. ACTION Monitor PSC Meeting Agendas
Other agencies (DHCR, Housing Subsidy Agencies)

11. ACTION Monitor shadow billing
Stays, rehearing, vacatur if PSC Order is issued

12. Tenants Already Submetered

13. ORGANIZE & PLAN
Tenant Association, Tenant Committee; or Contact Person
Identify elected officials
Identify counsel

14. LEASE AMENDMENTS
Check lease provisions for electric charges being deemed additional rent
Check lease provisions for:
Landlord’s complaint procedures
Notice of PSC complaint resolution
Method of rate calculation
Rate cap

15. MONITOR RATE CAP Use PULP bill calculator monthly
Check for excessive late fees

16. Public Assistance Landlord acceptance of: HEAP & Emergency HEAP
Home Energy Allowance & Supplemental Home Energy Allowance
Fuel-For-Heating Allowance
§ 131-s Emergency Utility Allowance

17. METERING ISSUES
“crossed wires” and shared meters,

18. METERING ISSUES
Meter accuracy

19. METERING ISSUES
High or erratic electric consumption

20. File Unresolved Complaints with PSC

21. PSC Complaint Process 1-800-342-3355 (Shut-offs)
(Billing disputes)

22. PSC Complaint Process Get complaint number
If dissatisfied, seek informal review or informal hearing
Appeal decision to PSC

23. ACTION Seek re-hearing of PSC submetering approval order
Contact elected officials
Contact counsel

24. ACTION Take discovery Building and apartment monthly usage data
Work papers supporting shadow bills
Building usage data and bills, past 3 years
Communications: with DPS staff; NYSERDA
Building energy efficiency evaluations
Blind, disabled, elderly, life support residents