Advocates with PUSH Buffalo are urging residents to attend a public hearing on National Fuel's proposed rate hike. According to the company, the average customer's bill will increase less than eight percent.
But according to PUSH, old homes in Buffalo's poorest neighborhoods use more gas and some customers could pay percent more. Brenda Miller-Herndon says the proposed rate hike will hurt low-income people like herself even if they are working.
"I'm not the one that's on social services or anything like that. I don't have that extra help. I am my help and I am my bread winner. So I'm barely keeping my head above water now."
National Fuel says delivery rates have not changed since 2007 - and the increase is needed to cover the cost of modernizing its infrastructure. The PSC hearing is October 26th at the Central Library downtown with comments sessions at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.