Utility Consumer Advocate - NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
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Utility Consumer Advocate

The New York City Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate is one of several offices housed within the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ). The Utility Consumer Advocate collaborates closely with MOCEJ’s Clean Energy and Environmental Justice teams, as well as partner city agencies and others to advocate for policies that integrate equity in energy utility ratemaking, reduce energy cost burden, expand access to energy affordability programs, ensure the transition to clean energy infrastructure benefits Disadvantaged Communities, and represent New York City residents in front of New York State’s Public Service Commission and other state and federal regulators.  

This page includes free, downloadable educational materials on energy utility rates, affordability programs, contacts for resolving issues with utilities, policy initiatives, links to report non-emergency issues to NYC311, a short list of available energy assistance programs, and an “Ask the Utility Consumer Advocate” form.

Contact NYC311

NYC311 is a free citywide resource that provides public access to New York City government services and information. Residents across the five boroughs can contact NYC311 at any time to report non-emergency issues. NYC311 directs reports to the appropriate city agency tasked with resolving the issue.

Report electrical problems in rental buildings, defective or exposed wiring, or faulty outdoor electrical equipment.

If you smell gas, leave the area immediately. Once you are safe, call 911 to report gas odors or other potential gas leaks.

Report a power outage or blackout to a utility company and/or file a claim with Con Edison for food or medicine spoiled during a power outage. 

Report a damaged, sunken, or noisy manhole cover on a sidewalk.

Report a damaged, sunken, or noisy utility access cover on a street.

Report a missing, sunken, raised, damaged, noisy, or steaming manhole cover. 

The noise complaint process depends on location and type of noise. Review a full list of noise complaint types.

Energy Bill Assistance

A New Yorker’s energy burden is how much of their household income they spend each month on their electric and gas bills, the cost of fuel oil, and, for those who live in certain buildings served by the Con Edison steam system, their steam bill. Under New York State’s energy affordability policy, a customer is energy cost burdened if they spend 6 percent or more of their annual monthly income on energy costs. Learn more about assistance programs that can help reduce monthly costs. 

The HEAP Program is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year, one AC every five years through the Cooling Assistance Component, and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off. Follow the link for more about HEAP, benefit types, eligibility, and program applications.

  • Con Edison electric, gas, or steam customers who meet certain income and eligibility requirements may request individualized payment agreement or budgeted billing options.
  • If you are 62 or older and your bills are less than $420 a year, you may qualify for quarterly billing. 
  • Customers who receive benefits from certain governmental assistance programs may qualify for bill discounts under the Con Edison energy affordability program.
  • National Grid gas customers who receive benefits from certain governmental assistance programs may qualify for bill discounts under the National Grid energy affordability program.  
  • National Grid heating customers who live in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island may be eligible for participation in the Neighborhood Heating Fund. Follow the links to learn more about participating offices and application requirements. 
  • National Grid’s Hope & Warmth Energy Fund offers several grants to residents who live in 1-2 family homes or apartments who meet certain eligibility requirements can access. Follow the links to access the program application or contact participating offices.  
  • National Grid’s Hearts Fighting Hunger Program provides food assistance grants to customers who meet certain programmatic and income requirements. Follow the links to learn more about the program or access the program application.

The EnergyShare Program, administered by the New York State Department of Human Services, makes grants available to New York residents who meet certain programmatic and HEAP income eligibility requirements. Follow the links to learn more about program eligibility requirements, contact participating offices, and access the EnergyShare application. 

Energy Efficiency Programs

Energy efficiency programs can help customers identify actions they can take to reduce energy consumption and energy costs. Generally, energy-efficient homes and buildings use less energy to heat, cool, and run appliances and electronics. This is achieved through improvements to building insulation, windows, and installation of high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, smart controls, and efficient lighting and appliances, among other actions. Together, these improvements can result in reduced energy consumption and energy costs, and make homes and buildings more comfortable for residents. Energy efficiency is an important component of electrifying building heating systems, as it allows for smaller, more efficient, and more affordable equipment to be installed, reducing operating costs and minimizing demand on the electric grid. 

 

NYSERDA offers a range of residential programs that can help New Yorkers identify and complete energy efficiency home improvements. Learn more about these programs.

NYSERDA’s EmPower+ Program helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence. For more information on program eligibility and energy-efficiency offerings, please call 1-877-NYSMART (1-877-697-6278) or visit the EmPower+ website.

  • Learn more about Con Edison rebates and energy efficiency incentives available to qualifying renters, homeowners, and business owners.
  • Learn more about National Grid home me energy upgrade benefits and energy-efficiency rebates available to qualifying customers.

Ask the Utility Consumer Advocate

The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate was established under Local Law 80 of 2022. The New York City Utility Consumer Advocate does not resolve utility company related complaints. For more information, please review this document.