Hudson Valley residents may see further increases in their utility bills if a proposed rate hike by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) is approved. Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) has asked the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject these new rate hikes, citing concerns about affordability and transparency.
“Maintaining a resilient energy grid is important, but that’s not where these added costs are going,” said Slater. “What’s worse is the way they’re being added—quietly and without clarity. The compounding costs baked into our utility bills are making basic electric service unaffordable for far too many New Yorkers.”
Slater’s letter to the PSC highlights that NYSEG’s proposed increases follow a pattern of raising rates not only for infrastructure improvements but also for state mandates, pandemic-related debt recovery, and surcharges that many customers do not fully understand or directly approve.
“These are energy taxes by another name,” said Slater. “They’re being collected through utility bills without sufficient legislative or regulatory oversight. New Yorkers deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for.”
To address this issue, Slater is urging support for Assembly Bill A.8414. This bill would require utilities to provide transparent billing with clear breakdowns of delivery charges, supply costs, surcharges, and public benefit charges so that consumers can better understand their expenses.
“The Hudson Valley cannot afford to bear unchecked costs of mandates, arrears recovery and hidden taxes without a full and honest accounting,” said Slater. “It’s clear our current course is unsustainable and unfair. I will continue to fight for the protection of both the grid and the ratepayer.”
