2019 New York Laws
PBS - Public Service
Article 2 - Residential Gas, Electric and Steam Utility Service
34 - Discontinuance of Utility Service in Two Family Dwellings.

§ 34. Discontinuance  of  utility  service in two family dwellings. 1.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no  utility  corporation  or
municipality  shall  terminate  gas  or electric service to a two family
dwelling that it knows contains  units  where  service  is  not  metered
separately  unless such utility or municipality shall have given fifteen
days' written notice of its intention to terminate service as follows:
  (a) a copy of such notice shall be mailed to the owner of the premises
affected, or in lieu thereof, to the person, firm or corporation to whom
or which the last preceding service bill has been rendered, and
  (b) a copy of such notice shall be mailed or  otherwise  delivered  to
each occupied unit, and
  (c)  where  possible,  a  copy  of  such  notice  shall be posted in a
conspicuous place at or within the dwelling.
  2. The commission shall affirmatively approve or provide for the  form
and content of notices required by subdivision one of this section. Such
notices  shall  state  the  intended date of termination of service, the
amount due for such service, and the procedure by which any occupant may
make payment or take action to avoid termination of service.
  3. The commission shall provide by regulation:
  (a) that any occupant may  prevent  termination  of  service  if  such
occupant applies for and is eligible for such service;
  (b)  that  any  occupant  may prevent termination of service by making
payments in accordance with established procedures. In  no  event  shall
such  payments  include  bills  more  than  two  months  in arrears. Any
occupant who chooses to pay current charges shall not be liable for  any
future  bills  which may be rendered for utility service supplied to the
dwelling. The utility corporation  or  municipality  shall  continue  to
render  all bills to the customer with a copy to be sent to any occupant
upon request; and
  (c) staff to advise occupants of the provisions of  this  section  and
the commission's regulations.
  4.  Whenever  the  obligations  owed  to  the  utility  corporation or
municipality  for  service  to  a  dwelling  have  been  satisfied,  the
corporation  or  municipality  shall notify an occupant of each dwelling
which was given notice of intent to terminate service.