Senator Phillips: Exempt Long Island from Energy Mandate That Would Raise Utility Bills

Senator Elaine Phillips (R-Manhasset) is urging that Long Island be exempted from a state mandate that would result in tens of millions of dollars in added utility costs for homeowners, school districts and local municipalities.

“Long Islanders already pay some of the nation’s highest utility costs, and this mandate will only raise them further.  We’re going to pay more money while receiving fewer benefits than other areas of the state,” said Senator Phillips.  “Reducing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels is an important and necessary goal, but this particular approach is not the right one for Long Island. We should be exempted.

Under a mandate from the state’s Public Service Commission, a new charge is being added to electric bills across the state, in part to support nuclear power generators upstate that don’t serve Long Island.  The surcharge applies not only to residents and businesses, but also to school districts, local municipalities and public authorities like the MTA.  This also means that residents will get charged multiple times; first on their own utility bills and then again through higher taxes and fees from the other entities who must pay it as well.  One analysis noted that school districts in Senator Phillips’ district alone will face as much as $6 million in increased utility costs. 

Senator Phillips detailed her concerns in a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo.  A copy of Senator Phillips’ letter is available here.