BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A Buffalo fair housing group is calling for a fair conservation program from National Fuel.

People United for Sustainable Housing, or "PUSH" Buffalo, is calling on the utility company to work with low-income residents.

PUSH wants the Public Service Commission to reject a National Fuel petition that would cause a $22 dollar per month customer rate hike.

"This are crisis of poverty, joblessness and high heating cost in our neighborhoods," said PUSH Buffalo Executive Director Aaron Bartley.

"People like me are in desperate need of installation for our homes. So we can afford to eat and stay warm," said National Fuel Customer Brenda Miller.

PUSH Buffalo also wants lower heating costs and more job creation for poor neighborhoods.

A Forbes Magazine study reports, Buffalo is the fourth most expensive city to heat in the country and one of the poorest cities in the country.