I got a bill from a company that I chose for my gas service that nearly sent me through the roof. Instead of continuing with KeySpan, I opted for Econergy, and am I ever sorry I did. Before, I was on a budget plan. I paid a balanced amount each month so that I could avoid what is now happening to me. I was paying $170 per month, but the bill I just got from Econergy was over $900 just for December and January. I called to complain, but they told me they couldn't do anything, and if I don't pay, they will cut my gas off. What can I do?
A.
All kinds of gas jokes come to mind, but your problem, which is widespread, isn't really funny. I called KeySpan and Econergy and got the same treatment you did. The person on the other end of the phone asks if they can help you. They sound like the same people who call you at dinnertime to sell you credit cards and magazines, except now they've been given the power to tell you that you should have guessed, when you switched to their company, that you would somehow need to just know to ask them for a balanced billing plan. I did find out that if you persist, they will arrange for smaller payments for what you owe, on top of current billing, and they will enroll you in a budget plan from now on. I spoke with several people, and learned that one of the best ways to get them to respond more practically is just to not pay your bill. They'll charge a penalty, but you can at least get them to work with you to find a method of payment that works. Cutting your energy delivery isn't an option, and they can't do that without several notices. Remember, there are regulations and competition, albeit very little competition. You could switch back to KeySpan. One of the other confusing issues I clarified with Econergy was that it is your billing company that provides the gas. KeySpan owns the piping and facilitates its delivery. The fact that Econergy made the switch, after notifying gas customers of options in their newsletter, without clarifying the continuation of balanced billing, made many customers think that their billing would continue as it always was. Shame on Econergy for the deception. I urge everyone to whom this happened to write letters to their legislators urging them to look into this. Penalties Econergy charges you ought to be waived so that you can have an affordable, balanced bill. Getting hit with a huge bill for the winter months, especially with the extreme cold we had, was unfair. At the end of the telephone call, incidentally, they ask if there is anything else they can do for you. "Else" implies they helped you in the first place, as if being kept on hold for 20 minutes was serving you, or that they directed you to someone that could resolve your problem, instead of telling you your gas would be cut off. Don't give up, and good luck.Readers are encouraged to send questions to: HERALD Homes, 379 Central Avenue, P.O. Box 220, Lawrence, N.Y. 11559-0220Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
