Putnam Calls for Local Hearings on NYSEG Rate Hikes

Regional officials joined together Sept. 22 to demand that the New York State Public Service Commission hold an in-person public hearing in the Hudson Valley on New York State Electric & Gas’s proposed 35 percent delivery revenue increase for electric customers.

Currently, the PSC has only scheduled hearings in Western New York. The first is set for Sept. 30 in Sodus – a 296-mile trip for Hudson Valley residents. The closest hearing is 154 miles away, in Oneonta.

“This is wrong, and we are here to once again call on the Public Service Commission to hold an in-person public hearing here in the Brewster Division of the NYSEG territory,” said Assemblyman Matt Slater, who called the press conference. “The Public Service Commission is hiding from ratepayers who are suffering here in the Hudson Valley. Look someone in the eye and tell them you’re going to increase their bill by 35 percent a month – I dare you. We deserve our own public hearing. The vast majority of Putnam County residents are NYSEG customers, and cutting out an entire county from this process is unacceptable.”

Slater, together with Sen. Rob Rolison, R-Poughkeepsie, has introduced legislation that would require PSC to hold in-person hearings whenever utility rate increases are under consideration.

“As families and small businesses in Putnam County and throughout the Hudson Valley face rising costs, they deserve to have their voices heard when decisions are being made that affect their monthly bills,” said Rolison. “We need to strengthen public oversight and ensure our residents always have a seat at the table when their cost of living is on the line.”

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne called the rate request a perennial issue with the utilities and PSC.

“In the past, we’ve had to advocate aggressively for in-person public hearings because we know they are far more effective,” he said. “When you’re proposing a rate increase of nearly 35 percent, you owe it to the people of New York and the people of the Hudson Valley to provide an in-person, local public hearing. We’ve done it in Yorktown before. We’ve done it in Putnam County. And we should do it again.”

Kent Town Supervisor Jaime McGlasson also expressed disappointment that PSC has failed to arrange an in-person public hearing within NYSEG’s Brewster division.

“Our Kent residents have been deeply impacted by NYSEG’s rate hikes and further proposed electric and gas rate increases,” she said.​” We urge your agency to promptly schedule an in-person public hearing as our residents deserve a convenient local location to meet face-to-face with commission representatives and NYSEG to discuss important issues.”

Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi said veterans, seniors, and middle-income families can’t afford the proposed increase.

“When I’m visiting seniors at the Putnam Valley Senior Center, the first thing they say is, ‘What can you do to help me with my bill?’” she said. “They have to choose between medications and keeping their power on. That’s not fair. Where can they make this complaint? They don’t have access to the computer. They can’t get up to Western New York. I invite the Public Service Commission to come on down to Putnam County. It’s beautiful here. Let us have a voice too.”

Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari added that it’s not just seniors, but pretty much everyone in the community who is affected by the proposed rate hikes.

“Transparency – that’s what it’s about,” he said. “The Public Service Commission has no need to be out only in the west when the largest population of the state is all down here. With our population and with our town halls, we could easily host the Public Service Commission so people’s voices get heard.”

Southeast Town Supervisor Nick Durante said that by not extending these hearings statewide, PSC is making it seem like its more focused on its own positions than truly standing up for the public.

“As a public servant, I stand by my residents – the people I vowed to serve,” he said. “Even if the outcome is predictable, at least take the time to listen to the voices you’re supposed to represent and understand that there’s a need for improvement.”

Patterson Town Supervisor Richard Williams said any new increase will be devastating to many of the residents of the Town of Patterson – all in NYSEG’s Brewster service area.

“Smart meters were supposed to be a benefit to NYSEG’s customer service, and yet they have only resulted in NYSEG’s customers seeing their electric bills skyrocket,” he said. “The Public Service Commission’s decision not to hold a public hearing in NYSEG’s Brewster service area suggests that our concerns simply don’t matter.”

“People are frustrated with soaring gas and electric bills and need to be heard,” added Brewster Mayor James Schoenig. “I am proud to join my colleagues in government to call on PSC to hold an in-person public meeting for our district, to listen to those it affects the most.”

These lawmakers have joined with others from northern Westchester County in sending a formal request to PSC for an in-person public hearing in the 94th Assembly District.