ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The rising cost of electricity is prompting more than 30 state lawmakers to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare an “energy state of emergency.” They believe the designation could provide immediate, temporary relief to those struggling with high energy bills.
During prolonged cold spells, electricity prices soar as usage increases. As News10NBC has been reporting, many residents are experiencing sticker shock when opening their RG&E or NYSEG bills.
“We are reaching a point in New York State where people are choosing, okay should I eat or should I pay for the heat,” says NYS Senator Stephen Chan, a Republican from Brooklyn.
RG&E’s spokeswoman Alexis Arnold recently discussed the company’s role with News10NBC Investigative Reporter Jennifer Lewke.
Alexis Arnold: “Remember Jenn, RG&E is in the energy delivery business. We do not set or control the supply costs; that is something that is determined by the market and as those increase, that is passed on to customers.”
Jennifer Lewke (News10NBC): “You don’t set the supply costs but you do make more money, the more you deliver.”
Alexis Arnold: “Well, what happens with the delivery costs is if we are delivering more energy to homes, yes the people are going to see the influx in that as well. That is the cost of getting the energy to the homes, the poles, the wires, the transmission lines, substations.”
State Senate Republicans believe declaring a state of emergency could at least allow the Governor to suspend certain taxes and fees on utility bills.
“Right now between surcharges and taxes on our utility bill, it’s between 40-50% of the utility bill,” says New York State Sen. Tom O’Mara, a Republican from Elmira.
The proposed state of emergency would provide temporary relief while lawmakers work on long-term solutions for energy affordability.
One Republican proposal is to refund ratepayers from a reserve fund intended for electrification mandates. “Why is there more than $2 billion, sitting in a NYSERDA slush fund, unused. This conference thinks that money should go back to the ratepayers,” says New York State Senator Rob Ortt, the Minority Leader.
There are concerns about the power grid’s capacity as the state moves toward electric mandates. “We are cruising, not only asking people to pay more and more but potentially not even to get the power they paid for because we can’t deliver it and we’re doing it because we’ve set up timelines and goals that are unattainable,” Ortt said.
In a statement to News10NBC, Ken Lovett, Senior Communications Advisor on Energy and Environment for Governor Kathy Hochul says, “The Governor has made energy affordability a top priority which is why her State of the State includes a Ratepayer Protection Plan that will protect against utility increases, remove hidden fees and hold the line on executive pay. Coupled with the implementation of her all-of-the-above energy plan, the Governor is laser focused on keeping the lights on and costs down. If these State Senate Republicans were serious about driving down energy costs, they would push their GOP colleagues in Washington to stop trying to kill fully-permitted energy projects already under construction that will provide needed supply and lift the Trump tariffs that are driving energy supply costs up across the board.”
The post Energy costs soar in New York, lawmakers call for emergency relief as residents face tough choices appeared first on WHEC.com.
