By Michael Mroziak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-976358.mp3
Buffalo – The New York State Public Service Commission hosted the first of three public hearings concerning National Fuel's Conservation Incentive Program Wednesday.
Critics of National Fuel's Conservation Incentive Program, or CIP, does little to benefit those who most need to save money on home heating. They also accuse the company of using funds from this program to focus not on direct assistance to households but to finance advertising and public relations.
Leading the criticism is the National Fuel Accountability Coalition, which includes the group PUSH Buffalo. Aaron Bartley of PUSH Buffalo says the National Fuel CIP's incentives, such as rebates for installation of energy-efficient appliances, favor affluent customers.
"The program serves very high income folks at the top of the income stratum," said PUSH Buffalo's Aaron Bartley. "Everyone else, if you're working, you get shut out of this program because the furnaces that you need to buy to quality are extremely expensive."
National Fuel spokeswoman Donna DeCarolis says there are energy saving options available to people of all income levels, including free home weatherizing to customers who qualify based on income level. She also responded to complaints about National Fuel's use of $1.5 million from the CIP fund for use in advertising and awareness campaigns, telling WBFO that such informational efforts are designed to promote the energy-efficiency program.
"This is a program that's been designed with a state objective or reducing usage across all customers in our service area, which is more than 500,000 customers in 11 counties," said DeCarolis. "So as such, we need to have a lot of methods for communicating the program's benefits and services."
Critics aren't necessarily buying that.
"I don't think National Fuel's logo has anything to do with contributing to awareness of energy efficiency," said Bartley. "Their branding effort clearly has nothing to do with efforts to reduce utility bills."
DeCarolis said more information on National Fuel's energy-saving advice and incentives are available online at www.nationalfuelforthought.com.
The PSC's public hearing in Buffalo takes place inside the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Central Branch from 3 to 6pm and then from 7 to 9pm. On Thursday, July 8, they'll host public hearings at Cheektowaga Town Hall, beginning at 2pm, and at Amherst Town Hall beginning at 7pm.