By Brian Bohl
Almost 900 Long Island households will be eligible for free weatherization kits that can save them 10 to 15 percent on energy bills this winter and year round.
New York Power Authority (NYPA) chief Richard Kessler made the announcement Thursday in Freeport, his first appearance on Long Island since ending his 10-year tenure at the helm of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) last month.
Each kit includes weather stripping, door sweeps, caulking, low-flow shower heads and compact fluorescent light bulbs. NYPA's trustees approved the $5 million project in September. To qualify, a family of four must have a gross annual household income of less than $45,000. Kessler said LIPA customers are not yet eligible, though NYPA would be open to extending the program to them through a partnership with LIPA.
A statement released from New York Gov. David Paterson said the program could help families save $200 annually on their energy bills.
Though the price of crude oil fell below $60 per barrel on Nov. 11, the first time since March 2007, Kessler cautioned that home heating costs will likely increase and oil prices could once again surge past $100 per barrel. "Don't be fooled," he said. "Heating oil prices are going to go back up again. Don't be lulled to sleep."
Rockville Centre, Freeport and Greenport, which have their own municipal power companies and are customers of NYPA, are the only Long Island regions currently eligible for the weatherization program. Kessler said the three communities encompass 23,000 customers, of which nearly 1,000 are eligible for the program.
"This will enable them to help themselves cut their heating costs this winter," Kessler said. "The total cost comes out of the NYPA budget."
Statewide, NYPA's figures show it is expected to distribute 20,000 to 30,000 kits.
State Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick) said the initiative can bring much-needed relief to families who might have to choose between buying food and paying for heat.
"Consumers can save money, and [the kits] protect and preserve the environment," Fuschillo said. "These are tough economic times, and if a consumer can save 10 to 20 percent on energy and utility bills, it's a significant savings."
Mary Bossart, the mayor of Rockville Centre, said she expects her village to request 700 kits for low-income families and said even families that can afford heat should incorporate energy saving steps. William Glacken, the mayor of Freeport, said he hopes eligible families in his village also take advantage of the opportunity.
"There's not a lot an individual homeowner can do regarding the price of oil nor about the weather conditions," Bossart said. "However, these are steps that each individual can take and if everybody does this, we're going to be in great shape."