Assemblymember
Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) sent a letter to the Public Service
Commission (PSC) stating his strong opposition to steep rate increases proposed
by NYSEG. The PSC is holding a hearing in Albany today to determine
whether or not the proposal for a rate increase can move forward.
“Our economy
is reeling from the long lasting impact of a recession and it seems callous and
unfair to expect utility customers to pay the outrageous rate increases NYSEG
is demanding,” said Hoyt.
NYSEG
proposes raising the residential electric rate 18.6% and raising the
residential gas heating rate 17.4%. Estimates indicate that this could
raise the electric bill for families by as much as $12 per month for
electricity and $25 per month for natural gas. NYSEG serves 870,000
residential customers across Upstate New York. (See Niagara Gazette story.) http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/local_story_261210846.html
Hoyt said “Natural
gas prices have gone down with most other utilities and transmission costs for
electric and gas have also dropped. Asking for such large rate increases
during a time of national financial hardship and high unemployment rates,
particularly considering how hard economic difficulties have hit Upstate New
York, is just wrong.”