Page 43 - Consumer Issues News Today

A bill passed by the New York State Legislature would provide ratepayers with a voice in utility rate increases. The utility intervenor bill would provide for funding to allow individuals or not-for-profit groups to have a seat at the table when utility companies go before the states Public Service Commission for a rate increase. High inflation and rising costs have been prompting rate increases across the U.S. ...

Charles Ray Guidry Jr. spent years being homeless, often sleeping on cardboard in church parking lots. Now, hes a champion for others struggling to stay housed. ...

Its National Family Caregivers Month, a time of year to underscore the important work these folks do. Family caregivers provide unpaid aid to the loved ones in their lives but often are unrecognized for the crucial role they play in ensuring people are able to age in place. Lori Stanton, southern regional manager for the Oregon and Southwest Washington chapter of the Alzheimers Association, said sometimes the people family members are caring for are not able to say thanks, especially if they h...

A farm in Idaho has received the first-ever "trout-safe" certification from an organization that protects habitat for the fish. The Nature Conservancys Silver Creek Farm in central Idaho near Ketchum received the certification from the organization Salmon-Safe. Neil Crescenti, agriculture program manager with The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, described how the farm met the standards to get the eco-labeling. ...

The Arizona Corporation Commission has unanimously voted development of the massive SunZia Transmission Wind Project can continue. The commission approved amendments to SunZias Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, which completes the Arizona permitting process for the 3,000 megawatt wind project. Adam Stafford, managing senior staff attorney for Western Resource Advocates, said they commend the decision to move forward with the project. ...

One out of six American families is behind on their utility bills, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Part of the reason for higher utility costs is additional fuel surcharges, based on the energy customers use in kilowatt-hours. Joshua Bills, commercial energy specialist for the Mountain Association, said charges fluctuate in response to the price of fuel, noting utility companies use the surcharge to pass the buck onto ratepayers. ...

On the heels of the midterm election, and passage of Question 4, which upheld a law allowing immigrants without legal status in the U.S. to receive drivers licenses, immigrant-rights activists are celebrating another win as the state increases translation services for non-English speakers in the Commonwealth. Governor Charlie Baker recently signed the $3.7-billion Economic Development Bill, which includes $20-million for the needs of immigrants and refugees. ...

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, bringing the spotlight to the countrys deadliest form of cancer. There will be an estimated 130,000 lung cancer deaths in 2022, including nearly 2,000 in Minnesota, according to the American Cancer Society. Michael Skokan, a pulmonary critical-care physician at The Oregon Clinic, said many of these deaths are preventable and the first action people can take is to stop smoking. ...

Opening statements start today in a case pitting "Big Pharma" against Community Health Centers serving low-income and uninsured patients. At issue is a government drug discount program known as 340B, which requires drugmakers to sell certain medications at lower prices to health centers and hospitals. Three drugmakers; AstraZeneca, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk; are suing the federal government for the right to restrict rebates to drugs dispensed at health centers, rather than phar...

A new film about the transfer of water from the high desert to Los Angeles - called "Without Water" - has just been released on the internet. The film highlights the struggle between the community around Long Valley, which is between Mammoth and Bishop California - and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The D-W-P has court permission to terminate longstanding water leases and limit irrigation water in Long and Little Round valleys. ...