Wolfgang

True... I have both of them on ignore...

I blocked that guy... Limiting my exposure to idiocy is great for my mental health...

Lol, yep... That parasite is a natural born liar... The next 6 months playing with that POS will be EZ PZ...

Your propaganda is noticeably weaker than yesterday... The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) played a central role in managing utility-related policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there was no specific program under the NYSPSC that explicitly froze electric bill rates statewide. Below is an updated response incorporating the NYSPSC’s actions and clarifying the absence of a rate freeze: NYSPSC Moratorium on Utility Shutoffs: In March 2020, the NYSPSC implemented a moratorium on utility shutoffs to protect customers facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. This ensured that electric and gas services remained active for non-paying customers, preventing service disconnections. While this didn’t freeze electric bill rates, it provided relief by allowing customers to defer payments without losing access, which may have been perceived as cost stabilization. NYSPSC Utility Bill Relief Programs: The NYSPSC authorized several bill relief initiatives to address unpaid balances accumulated during the pandemic, rather than freezing rates: Phase 1 (June 2022): The NYSPSC approved $567 million in one-time bill credits for approximately 311,000 low-income customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP). These credits targeted unpaid balances accrued through May 1, 2022, effectively reducing bills for eligible households without altering the underlying rate structure. Phase 2 (January 2023): The NYSPSC allocated an additional $672 million in credits for 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses, addressing unpaid COVID-related balances through May 1, 2022. This program focused on debt relief rather than freezing rates. 2024 Relief: In February 2024, the NYSPSC announced $200 million in one-time energy bill credits for over 8 million electric and gas customers, further easing financial burdens without fixing rates. Rate Regulation and NYSPSC Oversight: The NYSPSC regulates utility rates in New York’s deregulated energy market, where electricity prices are influenced by wholesale market fluctuations. During the pandemic, the NYSPSC did not implement a statewide freeze on electric rates, as this would have required overriding market-driven pricing or imposing significant subsidies. Instead, the NYSPSC focused on affordability through bill credits and deferred payment plans. Utilities like Con Edison and National Grid continued to adjust rates based on infrastructure costs and market conditions, subject to NYSPSC approval. Surcharges to Fund Relief: To finance the bill credit programs, the NYSPSC authorized a 0.5% surcharge on utility bills statewide, adding approximately 50 cents per $100 of a bill. This surcharge indicates that rates were not frozen, as additional costs were introduced to support relief efforts. Critical Perspective: The NYSPSC’s approach prioritized financial relief and service continuity over a rate freeze, reflecting the challenges of controlling rates in a deregulated market. Freezing rates would have required complex interventions, potentially shifting costs to taxpayers or utilities. The moratorium and bill credits effectively mitigated financial strain for many customers, which might be mistaken for a rate freeze. However, rate adjustments continued, as evidenced by NYSPSC-approved rate cases for utilities during and after the pandemic. The energy bill credits authorized by the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic were primarily funded through a combination of state budget allocations and utility bill surcharges. Here’s a concise breakdown of how these credits were financed, based on available information:State Budget Funding: Phase 1 (June 2022): The $567 million in bill credits for low-income customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) was funded through New York State’s budget. The state allocated funds to address unpaid utility balances accrued through May 1, 2022, as part of its COVID relief efforts. This was a direct state investment to support approximately 311,000 eligible customers. Phase 2 (January 2023): The $672 million in credits for 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses was also funded through state budget appropriations. These funds were designated to clear unpaid balances from the pandemic period, reflecting a state commitment to utility affordability. 2024 Relief: The $200 million one-time energy bill credit announced in February 2024 for over 8 million electric and gas customers was similarly supported by state budget funds, as part of ongoing economic relief initiatives. Utility Bill Surcharge: To offset the costs of these relief programs, the NYSPSC authorized a 0.5% surcharge on utility bills statewide. This added approximately 50 cents per $100 of a customer’s bill. The surcharge was applied across all ratepayers, spreading the cost of the relief programs to ensure utilities could recover funds used for the credits. This mechanism effectively distributed the financial burden among customers rather than relying solely on state funds. Critical Perspective: The reliance on state budget allocations reflects New York’s prioritization of direct relief during the economic fallout of the pandemic. However, the 0.5% surcharge indicates that ratepayers partially bore the cost, which could be seen as a regressive approach, as it increased bills for all customers, including those who may not have received credits. No evidence suggests federal funding or utility profit reductions were used, meaning the state and customers primarily covered the costs.

One thing not mentioned enough is that it isn't just tax money that is used for subsidy... We sell Treasuries to cover the tax payer shortfall... The entire nation goes into debt at interest to pay for it... Then, we pay later through inflation... That debt then subsidizes the Chinese portion of solar panel equipment... Strengthening China's economy at our expense... As Chinese companies strengthen further, those investors then invest in American farmland and commercial property, driving up costs for Americans while wages remain stagnant domestically... We have far too many people who are eager to see America completely hollowed out using the pursuit of the cheapest prices possible as the excuse... They worship free trade despite the fact it is far from free... The USA via the Bretton Woods Agreement secures free trade routes for the entire world... The same people want to defund our military which provides the security for their cheap imported products... They have the mentality of locusts...

Now that you have confirmed my assessment of you... That you don't care how much the USA gets hollowed out... That you value money far more than your fellow Americans... You prefer to replace American wages with American welfare... You support minimum wage jobs being filled by illegal aliens... Perhaps you simply hate blue collar workers in general... I will now put you on ignore... I would be lying if I said that I'm not disgusted by people with your mentality... Have a nice day...