WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - The Westchester County Board of Legislators will be hosting public input sessions in Somers and Bedford regarding New York State Electric & Gas’ proposed rate hikes.
If granted by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the request could increase average residential electricity bills by 23.7 percent and average gas bills by 33.5 percent – both by 2026, the county said.
The intent of the sessions is to gather up comments from the public to be sent to the PSC.
“These excessive hikes would come after six years of rate increases, placing additional financial burden on residents already struggling with rising costs” the BOL said.
The Bedford session is set for 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main. St., Bedford Hills, N.Y.
The Somers session is 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Heritage Hills Activities Center, 8 Heritage Hills Drive, Somers, N.Y.
Any NYSE&G customer is welcome to comment.
Registration for those wishing to speak opens at 6:15 p.m., according to a BOL spokesperson.
The meeting will be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing.
In a bipartisan decision in August, the BOL authorized the county to intervene in NYSE&G’s rate proceedings before the PSC. Westchester is also challenging Con Edison’s proposed delivery rate hikes.
By obtaining party status, the county gained the ability to participate directly in the PSC’s proceedings, including submitting testimony, conducting discovery and challenging NYSEG’s proposals.
NYSE&G is a subsidiary of the energy services giant Avangrid.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) pointed out that while NYSEG’s rate hikes may impact fewer people than Con Edison’s, “they are no less egregious. In fact, they are significantly higher.”
“People use NYSE&G because they have no other choice. It’s a monopoly hiding behind an intentionally frustrating and opaque process. Our vote shows the board doing everything possible to advocate for our residents,” he added.
Legislator Erika L. Pierce (D- Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) said she “enthusiastically” supported the county joining the rate case.
Constituents have been bombarding her office with complaints about NYSE&G, including “poor customer service, delivery, inadequate infrastructure, and problematic billing practices,” Pierce said, adding that as a 25-year resident of Katonah, the utility “has made managing and understanding even my own bill impossible.”
A recent audit by the PSC included 128 recommendations for improvements, which, she asserted, “shows the scope of these problems.”
“Our ratepayers need a voice at the table, and Westchester is stepping up to be that voice,” Pierce said.
Legislator Colin D. Smith (D- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown), chair of the board’s Legislation Committee, echoed that.
“As members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, we are joining NYSE&G’s rate case to stand up for our residents and businesses on the record with the PSC.”
“Westchester ratepayers deserve reliable service and fair pricing, not repeated outages, billing problems, and steep increases. We’re taking this step to hold NYSE&G accountable and ensure our communities are not left in the dark, literally or financially,” he said.
“Westchester residents deserve reliable service at fair prices, not constant rate hikes that make it harder for families and small businesses to make ends meet,” said County Executive Ken Jenkins.
He noted that by joining this case, the county was sending a strong message that it “will not stand by while NYSEG pushes through excessive increases.”
“We will fight for fairness and for the residents who rely on these essential services,” Jenkins declared.
GOOD TO KNOW
The board urged folks to speak up, saying that the public sessions will give them the opportunity to share how rate increases are affecting their households or businesses.
Speaking on the public record will help strengthen the county’s position in the rate proceedings.
It’s also a chance to “connect with neighbors and community member facing similar challenges,” it said.
The PSC itself is not holding public hearings on NYSE&G in Westchester.
Comments in writing can be sent directly to the PSC until Nov. 17 by submitting them at https://dps.ny.gov/event/psc-seeks-comments-nysegs-proposed-electric-rate-increase
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