Winter Preparedness
| Take the Chill out of Winter Energy Bills Energy affordability is a serious concern for many New Yorkers. In addition, winter bills may be particularly hard on vulnerable New Yorkers such as the elderly and households with fixed or low incomes since energy use can often be higher during heating months. Heading into each winter season, the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) prepares an outreach and education campaign designed to help consumers manage their energy bills while staying warm and safe during the cold weather months. We encourage consumers to take simple, low-cost energy savings measures to reduce energy use and to consider bill payment options and financial assistance programs to help manage energy costs. Please help me share and promote our winter preparedness outreach and education messages and materials. Together, we can ensure consumers will be informed of steps they can take and the programs they can participate in to reduce their energy use and help control bills this winter. Our campaign includes: A webpage dedicated to winter preparedness information at www.dps.ny.gov/winter Virtual “one-stop-shopping” workshops Multi-agency In-Person Energy Fairs about resources available to help consumers this winter season Free publications related to the upcoming winter season Please scroll below for more details. Sincerely, Richard Berkley Consumer Advocate and Director Office of Consumer Services |
| WINTER ENERGY WORKSHOPS |
| You are invited to attend “one-stop shopping” virtual workshops for consumer leaders and service organizations on November 21, 2024, and January 9, 2025, that include presentations from the following state agencies: Department of Public Service, Energy Research and Development Authority, Housing and Community Renewal, Office for the Aging, Power Authority, and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Topics include: Energy Affordability and Financial Assistance Weatherization Programs Energy Efficiency Services for Older Adults Consumer Rights and Protections Below is information about joining a virtual workshop. Registration is not required but encouraged so the webinar can be added to your electronic calendar. We have also included a link to a downloadable Winter Workshop flyer you can share with colleagues and other organizations that may find the topics helpful. |
| Join a Virtual Winter Energy Workshop |
NOVEMBER 21, 2024  JANUARY 9, 2024 |
| Register Here Or Visit MEETNY-GOV.WEBEX.COM Access Code: 2825 466 7150 Password: Nov21-10am Phone Only-Access: 1-929-251-9612 Access Code: 2825 466 7150 Password: 66821010 Register Here Or Visit MEETNY-GOV.WEBEX.COM Access Code: 2831 015 3016 Password: Jan9-1pm Phone Only-Access: 1-929-251-9612 Access Code: 2831 015 3016 Password: 52690176 |
| Winter Preparedness Webpage |
| The Department’s winter preparedness webpage has valuable resources for consumers such as controlling heating costs, consumer protections, energy efficiency and winter safety, as well as links to state and utility financial assistance programs. Consider adding our winter preparedness webpage URL to your website and sharing it with your constituents. www.dps.ny.gov/winter |
| Please download and share our Spanish and English Winter Preparedness flyer, Winter Preparedness Flyer which includes a QR code that opens directly to our webpage. Consider placing it in high traffic areas. Place it in a physical location like your office lobby area. Hand it out at exhibiting events or place on your table. Include it in digital or physical mailings to your community. |
| Order DPS Winter Publications |
| DPS winter-related publications are available free of charge. Printed copies can be ordered by using the online or downloadable order forms linked below. You can also visit our publications webpage to download digital copies and /or capture URLs to share on your website. We encourage you to distribute these publications by placing them in high traffic areas in your community. |
| Ordering Print Copies: |
| I appreciate your assistance with reaching your constituents about this important information. If you have any questions or would like to discuss ways we can work together to inform consumers about utility issues, please contact Sangeetha Kailas of the Office of Consumer Services by phone at (212) 837-7258 or by email at Sangeetha.Kailas@dps.ny.gov |