NEW YORK – Residential gas and electric customers will be protected from overcharges under legislation sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Aravella Simotas that Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law on August 24.

The Simotas legislation (A2451), which takes effect immediately, guarantees a customer’s right to an actual meter reading upon discontinuation of service and mandates that utility companies notify their residential customers that they have this right.

“New Yorkers work hard for their money and shouldn’t have their pockets picked by utility company guesswork,” Assemblymember Simotas said. “Consumers should not have to spend hours on the phone to challenge estimated bills, and now they won’t have to.”

Gas and electric utilities are permitted to bill customers based on estimated usage, which can result in customer overcharges that never get corrected or refunded when a customer moves.

Senator Kevin S. Parker of Brooklyn was the bill’s sponsor in the New York State Senate.