Straighten out utility bills
A Lynbrook's couple's LIPA bill shows a commercial rate instead of residential. Credit: Chris Ware
So just how many Long Island gas and electric customers are being charged the wrong rates?
The Long Island Power Authority and National Grid maintain there is just a handful of misclassifications and that an information campaign is all that's needed to uncover any more. Until there's evidence of a much wider problem, that's a more cost-effective approach than inspecting each property or auditing each account.
Both utilities are including notices in their monthly bills to guide homeowners -- the group most likely to be unaware they were in the wrong category -- to check their status. The utilities should make the commercial and residential rate designations CLEAR and PROMINENT on the bills.
LIPA says most of the errors involved homes that once had an ancillary business use such as a doctor's office or a small shop. Two-family homes that were later converted to a single residence might still be on the books as commercial.
On the other hand, homeowners who have carved out a secondary apartment or rental space but are still working off just one gas or electric meter are considered a commercial establishment under state rules. As you may suspect, LIPA says there hasn't been a rush of residential customers seeking to upgrade to the more expensive category.
If there were overcharges, the utilities should work with customers on a refund. These are simple mistakes that should be easily corrected.
