New York utility customers could see higher electric and gas bills beginning next month after state regulators approved temporary rate increases for NYSEG and RG&E, as the Public Service Commission continues reviewing longer-term rate requests from the utilities.
The New York State Public Service Commission announced May 14 that it is authorizing interim increases beginning June 1 for New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric while it works toward final decisions on pending rate cases.
The temporary adjustments vary by service, with electric and gas customers seeing different percentage impacts depending on utility and customer class. State officials say the increases are designed to prevent larger automatic changes from taking effect while negotiations continue.
Liam Mayo, Editor of The River Reporter, said while the temporary rate increases are significantly lower than what the utilities initially sought, the issue has drawn strong public concern. Customers across the region are still dealing with high energy bills following recent winter season spikes, and elected officials have argued that even modest increases will add pressure to household budgets.
“Customers are frustrated at the way their bills currently are and not exactly in the mood for further increases, ” Mayo said.
In a press release, Assemblymember Paula Kay, using all caps, said, ““THIS IS JUST WRONG! I believe The Public Service Commission made a poor decision at a time where people are choosing between paying their electric bill, and buying food, and I do not believe the PSC members are acting in the best interest of the public, who they ostensibly serve. I have long advocated against ANY rate increases because of the economic stress my constituents are already under.”
In a Facebook post following the announcement, NY-19 Rep. Josh Riley slammed the rate increase.
“The Public Service Commission just kicked the can down the road on NYSEG’s latest rate hike, and in the meantime they’re telling Upstate New Yorkers to pay $50 million MORE,” Riley said. “Bureaucrats in Albany don’t need another six months to understand what’s obvious to everyone else: the rates are too damn high, and Upstate New Yorkers can’t afford it.”
The utilities have said the additional revenue is needed for infrastructure upgrades, operational costs and system maintenance.
Image: A NYSEG substation in Fosterdale, NY. (Liam Mayo/River Reporter)
Consumers complaining about these rate hikes will accomplish nothing. Prices and rates are going up and there’s no way to avoid it.