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Classes

Recording
DVD - Consumer Utility Law and Practice

Richard Berkley from the Public Utility Law Project will teach advocates how to assist utility consumers, who find themselves in untenable situations. Sometimes clients' bills have mounted in cold weather and they get final termination notices, or are “slammed” by energy service customers (ESCOs) into high-cost rate schemas they can’t afford, or are not told of the option for a deferred payment arrangement—or of other basic rights or discount programs.  There is recourse for many of the situations faced by low-/moderate-/ and fixed-income utility consumers.  

 

In this session, Richard will discuss the procedural protections of the right to obtain and maintain utility service; public assistance programs to provide financial aid to residential customers experiencing utility service terminations; energy efficiency and conservation as cost-containment measures; and statutes, regulations, and case law supporting New York’s public policy of maintaining energy service. He will also examine submetering, including the conversion process and collections procedures, shared meter issues, and concerns that may arise from the landlord’s nonpayment of public area electric or gas for heat and hot water. 

Filmed on April 18, 2016

  • CLE Credits
    Areas of Professional Practice: 2.50
  • Format
    On-Demand/Recorded - Audio/Video File
  • Practice Area(s)
    Consumer/Bankruptcy Law
    Housing
  • Price: $150
  • Materials
    Contains 3 training item(s)

About the Faculty

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    Richard Berkley (Speaker)

    Richard A. Berkley, Esq. is the Executive Director of New York's Utility Project. Previously Mr. Berkley was Chief of Staff and Counsel to Senator Kevin Parker of the New York State Senate, and before that he was Director of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications. He was Counsel to Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and served as Information Technology Attorney and Assistant Counsel for the State Office of Children and Family Services. He was also Telecommunications and Cable Franchise Counsel for the City of New York, and worked at the State of Wisconsin's Public Service Commission while in law school. He is a member of the bar of the State of New York and the State of New Jersey. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, master's of arts from New York University, and bachelor's of arts from Fordham University-College at Lincoln Center.