After receiving a rash of complaints during a streak of bitter cold, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman will investigate possible price gouging and other misconduct by propane suppliers.
“No New Yorker should have to sit in a freezing home or office this winter. But in recent days, my office has been flooded with calls from New Yorkers across the state who’ve experienced extreme delivery delays and possible price gouging by their local propane supplier,” Mr. Schneiderman said in a statement on Tuesday, January 9. “New Yorkers depend on timely, affordable deliveries of gas or oil to heat their homes. After my office stepped in, we were able to help a number of New Yorkers get their heat back on—but it’s clear that there were systemic failures that left far too many New Yorkers sitting in the cold for far too long.”
The attorney general’s office reported receiving dozens of complaints regarding propane delivery and pricing as temperatures dipped to record lows. Complaints included sharply increasing prices, and receiving no response from propane companies for days and then being charged up to $200 for a weekend delivery fee. Propane companies also refused to fill other companies’ tanks and told consumers to buy their companies’ tanks.
“Any New Yorker that believes they may have been the victim of price gouging or other misconduct by a propane provider should contact my office right away,” Mr. Schneiderman said.
New Yorkers can contact the attorney general’s hotline at 518-776-2000 or file a complaint at ag.ny.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form.