Congressman Josh Riley is calling for a public reckoning over proposed utility rate hikes that he says threaten working families across Upstate New York.
On Wednesday, Riley filed a motion with the state’s Public Service Commission demanding in-person hearings across Upstate New York in response to NYSEG’s proposed rate increases. The congressman, a formal party in the PSC’s ongoing rate case, said the public deserves a direct say before any decision benefits corporate stakeholders.
“If NYSEG and its multinational owners want to hike rates on Upstate families, then they can show up, look us in the eye, and answer for it,” Riley said. “These hearings are about making sure working people get a say before Wall Street gets another payday.”
Riley’s demand builds on months of scrutiny he has directed at utility providers. In April, he launched a formal investigation into regional pricing practices, citing a flood of complaints from constituents forced to make difficult budget choices as utility bills rise. He has also urged regulators to require detailed billing disclosures and audit whether customers’ payments are subsidizing foreign profits.
The motion requests hearings be held in or near Binghamton, Ithaca, Oneonta, and Monticello, scheduled during weeknight evenings to ensure working-class participation. Riley also urged the PSC to require NYSEG’s parent companies—Avangrid and Iberdrola—to attend and respond directly to public concerns.
As pressure builds across the region, Riley’s move reflects a broader demand from local communities for transparency and corporate accountability. According to the Ithaca Times, constituents have voiced a growing need for real reform as utility costs surge.
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