We’ve been reporting on Radio Catskill how customers have been impacted by their high NYSEG electricity bills this winter. This past Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that Canada would add a 25% tariff on the electricity they supply to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan but then quickly pivoted – they agreed to delay the surcharges that same day.
So what exactly do these new tariffs mean for New Yorkers and why are customers seeing these NYSEG bill increases? Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar spoke to Laurie Wheelock, Executive Director of the Public Utility Law Project in Albany, to help us unpack what New Yorkers need to know about their bills.
Note that this interview was recorded on Tuesday and since then, Canada has delayed energy tariffs.
How does low income people pay ?When your income is under 2000. Don’t forget there’s rent an etc !
Either intentionally or otherwise, Ms. Wheellock did not respond to your reporter’s question regarding the oft-cited public concern that these exorbitant increases are tied to the new meters. At the same time, there is also the perception that NYSEG has been telling customers that the “old” meters were miscalculating actual usage all these years, an adjustment the new meters have made. If NYSEG is to be transparent and dare I say trusted, the public needs a response to these questions.
As Admin of the FB Group “My NYSEG Bill Doubled” with over 2000 members, I can tell you, having seen many bills posted, that there is no impact of the meters on billings. The timing of the smart meter rollout at peak season with the highest rates on record, resulted in 2X to 3X the bills and rightfully have customers concerned. We advise everyone to file complaints with the PSC (Public Service Commission) and Governor Hochul. Another 2022 pre-approved rate increase is set to occur in May 2025 and recently added “storm recovery fees.” People can’t afford to pay.
File a PSC complaint:
https://dps.ny.gov/file-complaint
I see that no one from NYSEG can give an intelligent response to exorbitant price hikes starting in February 2025. Many customers get all kinds of reasons!
1. Cold winter
2. Errors
3. I don’t know
4. New meters
5. A supervisor will get back to you
This is unacceptable at the least. 1,000’s of customers still have not been refunded inaccurate bills, nor have been told why these huge bills have happened. I have not received any responses from 8 formal complaints to various entities. They apparently are not getting any rational explanations either. I’m a frustrated and angry customer as no one gave us notice or warning that these hikes were happening. What is this extra money collected from 1,000’s of people being used for. Many billings are; 600.00, 900.00 and some over 1,000.00 for 1 month. I think the customers deserve an answer to this craziness. My bill was 909.00 and my house is not occupied. I would expect lots of refunds to these obvious mathematical errors. Thx
CORPORATE GREED!!