Residents grow frustrated with high utility rates

Over the last few years, residents across New York State have been receiving abnormally high electric and gas bills from their utility companies, such as New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Central Hudson. Several factors have contributed to these bills and their rate hikes, from energy demands to state climate initiatives, and several state officials have attempted to mitigate costs for residents through the legislation process.

Assemblyman Brian Maher and Senator Rob Rolison asserted that the state’s clean energy initiatives are partly responsible for the rate hikes, with ratepayers shouldering the cost of the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. While Maher and Rolison are in favor of clean energy, they want the state to be more conscious of potential cost burdens on residents when pushing these initiatives.

“Gas and electric prices are increasing. Albany-mandated utility companies make billions of dollars in investments to comply with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” Rolison said on March 17. “We all support clean energy, but these mandates are being passed on to ratepayers in a way that makes these investments unaffordable.”

In response to the rate hikes, Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. and a few other co-sponsors passed Senate Bill S1194, requiring utility companies to give their customers a 45-day notice for service rate or charge increases. Rolison also introduced two bills in the senate committee last January: Bill S980, which would require utility companies to hold public hearings for rate hikes, and the Ratepayer Relief Act, which would create a tax credit for middle and working class utility ratepayers.

“Utility companies have come under fire for skyrocketing rates, billing issues, and a lack of transparency,” said Isabella Paquette, Director of Communications for Rolison, who co-sponsored Addabbo’s bill. “With household budgets stretched thin by rising costs, Bill S1194 is a step in the right direction, ensuring ratepayers have time to prepare for higher bills, especially heading into warmer weather.”