Assemblyman Matt Slater and several regional officials gathered at Yorktown Town Hall to call on the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to hold an in-person public hearing in the Hudson Valley regarding New York State Electric and Gas’s (NYSEG) proposed 35% delivery revenue increase for electric customers.
Currently, all scheduled PSC hearings are set for Western New York. The nearest hearing for Hudson Valley residents is in Oneonta, which is 154 miles away, while another is scheduled in Sodus, a 296-mile trip from the region.
“This is wrong, and we are here to once again call on the Public Service Commission to hold an in-person public hearing here in the Brewster Division of the NYSEG territory,” said Slater.
Slater and Senator Rob Rolison have introduced legislation that would require the PSC to hold in-person hearings whenever utility rate increases are being considered.
“The Public Service Commission is hiding from ratepayers who are suffering here in the Hudson Valley,” Slater added. “Look someone in the eye and tell them you’re going to increase their bill by 35% a month—I dare you. We deserve our own public hearing. The vast majority of Putnam County residents are NYSEG customers, and cutting out an entire county from this process is unacceptable.”
Officials present included Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Town of Kent Supervisor Jaime McGlasson, Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano, Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jackie Annabi and Yorktown Councilwoman Luciana Haughwout. They announced they had sent a formal letter to the PSC requesting an in-person public hearing within the 94th Assembly District.
“Hybrid meetings are being proposed and held, but that’s not good enough for ratepayers—not when you’re looking to increase our bills by more than $30 a month,” Slater said. “New York is facing an affordability crisis. Energy costs are fueling that crisis, and to consider a 35% rate hike without proper public input is wrong and needs to be rectified.”
Senator Rob Rolison stated: “As families and small businesses in Putnam County and throughout the Hudson Valley face rising costs, they deserve to have their voices heard when decisions are being made that affect their monthly bills. I’m committed to standing up for our rate payers and making sure the Public Service Commission is accountable to the people it serves. We need to strengthen public oversight and ensure our residents always have a seat at the table when their cost of living is on the line.”
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne commented: “This is not a new challenge—it’s a perennial issue with the utilities and the Public Service Commission. In the past, we’ve had to advocate aggressively for in-person public hearings because we know they are far more effective. When you’re proposing a rate increase of nearly 35%, you owe it to the people of New York and the people of the Hudson Valley to provide an in-person, local public hearing. We’ve done it here in Yorktown before. We’ve done it in Putnam County. And we should do it again. I want to thank Assemblyman Slater and Senator Rolison for bringing this issue forward.”
Town of Kent Supervisor Jaime McGlasson said: “On behalf of the town of Kent, I would like to express my strong disappointment that the Public Service Commission has failed to arrange an in-person public hearing within NYSEG’s Brewster Division. Our Kent residents have been deeply impacted by NYSEG’s rate hikes and further proposed electric and gas rate increases…We urge your agency to promptly schedule an in-person public hearing as our residents deserve a convenient local location to meet face-to-face with commission representatives and NYSEG to discuss important issues.”
Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano remarked: “It’s unacceptable that PSC is holding hearings on NYSEG’s rate hikes upstate while ignoring Hudson Valley…Virtual hearings are no substitute for showing up in our community…Hudson Valley families are already struggling…and now PSC wants to silence them too.”
Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi stated: “I want to thank our assemblyman for holding this press conference…Our veterans, our seniors, our middle-income families can’t afford this increase…They don’t have access to computer…They can’t get up Western New York…I invite Public Service Commission come down Putnam County…Let us have voice too.”
Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman added: “The bottom line is this affects everyone especially our seniors who may not have access online meetings…Our seniors on fixed income—an extra $30 month big deal…If you want prove it’s Public Service Commission need get down into Hudson Valley have these hearings listen people.”
Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari said: “We’ve had not just seniors but pretty much everyone affected by these rate hikes…Transparency—that’s what it’s about…Letters or Zoom don’t carry same passion as speaking face-to-face…Thank you Assemblyman Slater for bringing attention matter.”
Southeast Town Supervisor Nick Durante noted: “The PSC not extending these hearings statewide makes it seem like they’re more focused on their own positions than truly standing up for public…Even if outcome predictable at least take time listen voices supposed represent…”
Patterson Town Supervisor Richard Williams stated: “Smart meters were supposed benefit NYSEG customer service yet only resulted customers seeing electric bills skyrocket…Any new increase will be devastating many residents Patterson indeed all Brewster Division area…”
Mayor James Schoenig concluded: “People frustrated with soaring gas electric bills need be heard…I am proud join colleagues government call PSC hold an-in person meeting district listen those affects most…”
