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National Grid Mulls Bill Increase

People who attended the information session and hearing about the National Grid’s intended rate increase. (c) Stefan Oliva 2017

*Disclaimer: This story was originally published on July 31, 2017. Check for updates.*

By Stefan Oliva SYRACUSE (NCC News) – National Grid might raise their customers’ electricity and gas bills by a total of roughly $18 a month. They requested that the New York State Public Service Commission approve a three year agreement, as opposed to the one year agreement currently in place.

An information session and hearing that was open to the public featured National Grid representatives at Syracuse’s Nottingham High School. The company held the event to inform the public about what they want to do with the estimated $261 million that they will make in revenue, if the NYSPSC agrees to a multi-year proposal.

Several people in attendance brought signs to protest the planned increase. A lot of them also grilled the National Grid representatives with tough questions, especially about the services that would be implemented with the added revenue. “I like to say that there’s something in it for everyone,” said Virginia Limmiatis, a media representative for National Grid. “What does that mean for our customers? It means storm resiliency, reliability…”

Cortland resident, David Gower, questioned the costs to the customers and how they would see that money. His questions were met with widespread applause, the only time the crowd applauded a question.

There will be another hearing and information session tomorrow before the vote. Gower added that the public is better informed and thinks attending informational meetings is a good first step.

He also wants to see clearer lines of communication between National Grid and its customers. “I think [they] should provide a significant amount of tangible information so that we can evaluate what their decision are based on,” Gower said.

Listen to the re-recorded audio story here: (c) Stefan Oliva 2020.
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Naloxone Accessible in New York

*Originally published August 8, 2017.*

An educational pamphlet and samples of naloxone, a drug used to counter the effects of opiate overdose, are displayed at a news conference at the fire station in Taunton, Mass., Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. A recent surge in heroin overdoses in Taunton has shed light on an epidemic that has plagued the state and nation. At the news conference, Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey outlined a three-pronged plan to address the opiate drug epidemic, calling for expansion of naloxone programs for first responders and bystanders, greater access to proven addiction treatments and modernizing America’s addiction treatment system. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

By Stefan Oliva SYRACUSE (NCC News) – Starting tomorrow, naloxone will be available in pharmacies statewide. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Before January 2016, it was only possible to get Naloxone with a prescription or through a registered opioid overdose prevention program. Making the drug more affordable adds to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s initiative early last year to make Narcan available in pharmacies without a prescription.

According to the press release from Cuomo’s office that came out this morning, people who have prescription coverage, including Medicaid and Medicare, will get up to $40 in co-pay assistance, which will either make the drug free or relatively cheap. Uninsured people and those without prescription coverage, however, can get the medicine for free through one of the state’s registered opioid overdose prevention programs.

There are 15 such programs in Onondaga County and Central New York has 50. Some of the programs on the list are also police departments, in which either some or all of the officers carry Narcan. According to Executive Director of the Central New York Emergency Medical Services, Susie Surprenant, emergency responders also play a crucial role. “When we can provide that care in the community, no matter what part of the region, that’s an important component,” she said.

Paul Smyth, manager of the Emergency Medical Services at Syracuse University, agrees.

“You’re there to help somebody,” Smyth said, “so it’s a good feeling to take somebody who is barely breathing because they’ve taken too much of an opiet and within minutes take them to…kind of awake.”

Listen to the re-recorded version of the story here. (c) Stefan Oliva 2020.