"And far too many can't. As of this year, more than 1.2 to 1.3 million New Yorkers are behind on their utility bills owing between $1.8 and $2.3 billion. In New York City and Westchester alone, nearly 16% of Con Edison customers ended 2024 in arrears, with almost $950 million owed. That is not a statistic. That is a picture of families underwater, seniors on fixed incomes falling further behind, and small businesses carrying balances they can't absorb."
"In recent years, utility companies like Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, and RG&E have returned again and again requesting permission to raise rates. Again and again, the Public Service Commission a small group of Albany appointees has approved those hikes. Your bills go up. Their guaranteed returns go up. And almost nobody in state government is asking the basic questions on your behalf: Were these increases justified? Were affordability protections built in?"
Families across New York are facing sharply higher gas and electric bills and making painful tradeoffs to pay them. More than 1.2 to 1.3 million New Yorkers are behind on utility bills, owing between $1.8 and $2.3 billion. Nearly 16% of Con Edison customers in New York City and Westchester ended 2024 in arrears, with almost $950 million owed. Seniors on fixed incomes, struggling families, and small businesses are carrying balances they cannot absorb. Utility companies repeatedly request rate increases and the Public Service Commission has frequently approved them. The State Comptroller has the authority to audit and investigate these rate decisions, but has not exercised robust oversight.
Read at www.amny.com
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