In bad economy, power cutoffs soar
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - With higher energy prices and a shaky As a result, the number of electricity or gas shut-offs have been running 17% higher than last year among customers of New York state's major utilities. In economically hard-hit Michigan, that number is even higher -- 22%. A check of regulators and energy companies by The Associated Press in Albany found that shut-offs are up in all or part of dozens of other states, including Pennsylvania, Florida and California. Government officials and advocate groups worry that the problem will only get worse this winter because of the high cost of heating oil. Congress recently approved a more than $5 billion measure to help poor people cope with home heating costs, but advocates say that's unlikely to be enough. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC-WKTV News Channel 2. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited. Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:11 PM Nat Grid Worker(yepper) you make me sick wrote ...People like you make me sick you sit on ur butt all day and do nothing and get paid the big money just to sit there and answer phones and play on ur comptuer cause I dont think that you are the ones out there working when something goes wrong. I have seen them people out there stopping at Dunkin Donuts for there load of stuff while your waiting for them to fix whatever shut the lights down I work in one and on over nights they come in and sit and talk and eat and dont give a crap.... Flag for moderationWednesday, Oct 8 at 12:15 PM not dumb wrote ...yeah i can't wait until my power bill goes up in this winter and i use Gas just as i'm sure most people in this area use. Natural Gas has nothing to do with OIL, but national grid will make it seem like it does. Can i get free food and free heat if i stop working? Flag for moderationWednesday, Oct 8 at 10:16 AM Anonymous wrote ...How about a program to help the families that are working hard to make ends meet that don't get HEAP, Food Stamps and have to pay their own medical coverage? Flag for moderationWednesday, Oct 8 at 9:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...Of course. hey can come shut you off with no notice, but yet you have to wait 3 days if theres a power line down. Go figure! Flag for moderationWednesday, Oct 8 at 8:37 AM Nat Grid Worker(yepper) wrote ...Come on are you kidding me???I deserve all the raises I get and all the OT! Pay your bills and be quiet! Do you think we care about any of you?? WE DONT Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 9:57 PM so you're saying? wrote ...Maybe we should just finish the job and Go totally Socialist here in the USA. Let the Government take care of all our needs. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 8:14 PM Me too! wrote ...Single mother, homeowner - I make a good income and still have a hard time paying my utility bill. I am not eligible for HEAP or any assistance for that matter. I bought windows $4,000 to help with this winters bills. I'm getting killed - the rich and the poor are o.k. they are on our backs and were carrying them!!!! Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 8:05 PM NAF wrote ...is anybody listening to these people, how do middle class workers like firemen, policemen, city workers and secretaries pay the prices, especially if they have a couple of kids. THIS IS THE REAL BAILOUT NEEDED. Fatcats can pay their utility bills. This is and should be a priority everyone should write their congressperson. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 2:57 PM TO: 'NOT POOR' wrote ...You hit exactlty! Heap grants are now regular hear $400, & 2 emergency heaps $800.00 each!!! So the welfare users are fine, it us middle class who are just a hare over the limit!! Welfare to WORK program should be 1 year only. Signed: Mohawk Mom of 2, working not welfare. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 1:51 PM whatever wrote ...Someone needs to go after National Grid for jacking up the prices. There is NO need for greed when it comes to people's basic survival needs. We are ALL struggling, we ALL feel it. Wear extra layers of clothes, pinch your pennies, cook at home, quit spending on recreation, and use the $$ for basic needs. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 1:15 PM that's right, 'not poor' wrote ...but we'll feed Wall Street BILLIONS and not worry about the working class - comments Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Schumer and Mrs. Clinton? Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 12:48 PM Qball69 wrote ...I realy hate to see winter coming because I know alot of people will face hardships.Corporate greed on behalf of the utility and oil companies will be a major cause of death this winter. Alot of seniors on fixed incomes will be found froze to death.The goverment helps wallstreet they should help keep the seniors keep warm and safe. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 11:58 AM no kidding wrote ...awwww we are all poor we all need help with heating not just welfare the working class should get it first. let the welfare freeze maybe they will get off their lazy butts and find a job!!!!!!!!! enough is enough start helping the people who are working thier butts off with 2 or 3 jobs in a family to make ends meet. Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 11:06 AM Ok wrote ...Wait like national grid cares about us! That union will just get a bigger raise next contract for those lazy bums! Flag for moderationTuesday, Oct 7 at 10:56 AM Not Poor wrote ...I know this is an AP story, but nowadays, the people struggling to pay their utilities are not necessarily the stereotypical "poor people". It's the middle class family now begin squeezed even worse for the necessities. Flag for moderationAdd a commentMost Popular
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