Governor signs legislation to help heat homes during emergencies

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ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul Thursday signed legislation to allow homeowners leasing liquified petroleum gas tanks to receive emergency deliveries from any supplier during times of a qualifying emergency, helping homeowners keep the heat on during severe weather emergencies and other critical periods.

The legislation amends the agriculture and markets law to allow, during a qualified emergency, a customer running low on propane who reasonably believes their supply is insufficient to meet their heating needs to purchase liquid petroleum gas from any temporary emergency supplier if their good faith effort to purchase the LPG from their regular supplier does not materialize.

Both the regular and temporary emergency suppliers may not charge additional fees or penalties during qualifying emergencies to a customer that they don’t usually charge when an emergency is not in effect.

A qualifying emergency is a federal, state, or local emergency declaration, or severe weather or similar circumstances that may result in death, injury, or damage to a building structure due to lack of residential heat caused by lack of sufficient LPG to produce the heat. After April 7, 2023, individuals can safely switch suppliers without penalty, or if a qualified emergency occurs before that date.

State Senator James Skoufis said, “When temperatures dip, New Yorkers who rely on petroleum to heat their homes shouldn’t be left holding the bag when their contracted delivery service can’t or won’t follow through. Legalizing consumer choice in this space when it really counts will keep families warm and safe this winter.”

 

 




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