State Senator Tom O’Mara and a group of regional lawmakers are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and state regulators to reject a proposed utility rate hike from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), citing already-high bills and ongoing service complaints.
In a joint letter sent to the governor and Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair Rory Christian, the lawmakers said NYSEG’s requested increase — which would raise electric rates by nearly 24% for some — is unfair and unjustified.
“No justification” for more increases
O’Mara, who serves on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, was joined by Senators George Borrello, Pamela Helming, Peter Oberacker, and Assemblymen Chris Friend, Jeff Gallahan, Phil Palmesano, and Joe Sempolinski.
Their message was clear: constituents are struggling, and NYSEG’s request would only make things worse.
“We write to express our strong opposition,” the letter reads. “As a regulated monopoly, NYSEG benefits from a guaranteed customer base and is already operating at a profit.”
Lawmakers said their offices have been flooded with complaints about NYSEG billing issues. O’Mara noted that his office alone has received over 500 complaints in recent months.
Another major hike on the table
The PSC approved a 31% multi-year rate increase in 2023. Now, NYSEG wants more — an average 23.7% increase in electric rates, which could cost households roughly $67 more per month or over $800 per year.
The legislators are demanding the PSC investigate NYSEG’s billing practices, particularly following smart meter installations that some say have caused inexplicable spikes in charges.
“Our offices have been inundated with complaints of massive increases, in some cases double or triple the usual charges,” the lawmakers said.
Climate policy concerns resurface
In addition to the billing and affordability issues, O’Mara and his colleagues criticized New York’s energy policies under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). They argue the mandates are driving up costs too fast, without enough analysis or transparency.
“Families across our districts are reaching their financial breaking point,” the lawmakers wrote. “Approving this hike… would worsen affordability and accelerate the out-migration of New Yorkers seeking lower costs of living elsewhere.”
O’Mara added that current energy policies are “not affordable, feasible, or realistic” and said ratepayers are already seeing the fallout.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].