Senator Parker Supports Actions Forcing ESCO Transparency

BROOKLYN, NY (6/2/17) – For years Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) have irresponsibly overcharged consumers on their energy bills.  According to reports by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), ESCOs have overcharged residential customers in New York more than $816 million during a 30-month period ending June 30, 2016.  Unfortunately, many of the residents who are targeted by ESCOs live in low-income and underserved communities.

State Senator Parker, who initially created the law in 2009 that gave rise to the consumer ESCO Bill of Rights, enthusiastically stands with his colleagues in the State Legislature, The New York City Council, AARP, and the Public Utility Law Project of NY (PULP) to increase transparency for ESCOs.

“As the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, I will continue to advocate and introduce legislation focused on protecting New Yorkers from the vicious and predatory nature of ESCOs,” said Senator Parker. “In addition to ensuring we are educating ratepayers about the promise of our alternative-energy investments and the financial options available to them to provide on their energy bills, it is it imperative to support entities like the Public Service Commission who can hold ESCO’s accountable and publicize their negative behavior,” concluded the 7-term Brooklyn lawmaker.

About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprised of sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, as well as the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

Senator Parker is the Whip of the Senate Democratic Conference; Member of the Senate Democratic Conference Policy Group; Member of the Senate Select Committee on Technology & Innovation; and Member of the Senate Democratic Minority and Women-Owned Business Task Force (MWBE).

For the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, Senator Parker serves on the Senate Standing Committees on Finance; Rules; Higher education; Labor; Insurance, and Banks.

To learn more about Senator Parker and his initiatives on behalf of working families across New York State, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker