With gas, electric bills surging, NY pushes regulatory agency to get tough on utilities
The New York State Senate, responding to double-digit rate hike demands from gas and electric utilities, recently approved measures targeting the state agency that signs off on utility requests.
One would add an eighth slot to New York's Public Service Commission board for a consumer advocate. And another would ban former utility employees from joining the commission for at least two years after leaving their employment.
They're among a package of eight member bills Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins shepherded through the state Senate in recent weeks.
'This package flips the script — putting people over profits,' Stewart-Cousins said. 'Utilities are a lifeline, not a luxury. For too long, New Yorkers have been treated as cash cows by companies that answer to shareholders, not the people.'
The Assembly is expected to consider the package ahead of the summer recess.
At the end of February, about 1.2 million gas and electric customers were behind at least two months on their bills, a total of $1.8 billion in arrears. Consumer advocates have called it an energy affordability crisis. Gov. Kathy Hochul has responded by, among other things, urging the commission to reject a double-digit rate increase from Con Edison, the state's largest utility.
Bills: Hudson Valley customers: What's contributing to your high gas, electric bills?
'Far too many New Yorkers feel like they are in the dark when it comes to their utility bills,' said Laurie Wheelock, the executive director of the Public Utility Law Project, which advocates for customers. 'The Senate's utility affordability package advances many reforms that promote transparency, empower ratepayers, and improve oversight of utility practices.'
Other measures passed in recent weeks would:
Force utilities to give consumers refunds if the utility has exceeded their agreed-upon profit limits.
Alert families to surging bills by telling them when usage is exceeding their threshold.
Have the PSC consider non-economic damages like stress caused by a power outage when determining fines for utilities accused of misconduct.
Extend to 14 months the review period for rate hikes, allowing more time for challenges.
ConEd, whose territory includes Westchester County and New York City, is seeking increases of $14 for residential electric customers and around $46 for gas customers, which would kick in next year.
Pipes: Leaky gas pipes cost NY utilities billions a year. How it trickles down to your gas bill
Utilities across the state say they need the extra revenue to replace outdated infrastructure and for climate-related upgrades to guard against high-intensity storms that are occurring greater frequency.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA Today Network's New York State team. He's won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that's included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How NY is pushing state regulatory group to get tough on utilities
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