Write and Post on Facebook Opposition to NYSEG Rate Increase for 2026- BoredomMD.com

NYSEG requested a rate increase with the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) on June 30, 2025 which will be decided in 2026 to increase NYSEG delivery rates by 35% for electricity and 39.4% for natural gas which would go into effect on May 1, 2026. NYSEG last asked for a price increase in 2024 which took effect on May 1, 2025. This is in ADDITION to the price increases we are experiencing NOW. While Hochul has challenged this proposal, we need to voice our opposition.

Here is what our bill says:

Delivery Charge per KWH

December 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025- .07894

May 6, 2025 to June 4, 2025- .09783

Difference-24% increase

Electricity Supply Charge

December 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025- .06888894

May 6, 2025 to June 4, 2025 (same rate for July)- .09779473

Difference – 42% Increase

Why does NYSEG want a price increase?

“Modernize aging grid, enhance reliability and improve storm recovery efforts”. NYSEG says they face substantial costs for repairing damage from storms ($200 million)- this should be considerably less in 2025 since NYSEG hired people to virtually decimate neighborhoods by cutting down all their trees. If it doesn’t, then why did they spend money to do it. We want an accountability on this issue since we had to pay $190 to have the stumps grinded.

Interestingly, NYSEG is a subsidiary of AVANGRID (NYSE-AGR) that had a profit of $1.12 Billion in 2024. There does not appear to break out NYSEG alone as Avangrid participates in a “virtual money pool to manage cash efficiently”—so what does that mean for us here in WNY? Avangrid provides electricity in NY,CT, Maine and Massachusetts, NY and PA and operates power generation (wind-solar) in numerous states.

NYSEG also says that their arrears totaled $103 million in 2024. So, that is the first problem. People who can’t or have not paid their bills. And, now with Trump eliminating HEAP, we expect this amount to go up. But, who can afford a 20 to 40% increase? Maybe if they lowered bills, more people could pay them.

Now add in the fact that NYSEG gets a lot of electricity from Canada (who Trump has totally alienated). In February 2025 Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports and then in retaliation, Canada put a 25% tariffs on all energy to NY, Michigan and Minnesota. In August, 2025 Canada said it would drop some retaliatory tariffs, effective September 1st which includes energy- electricity so this will no longer be a rationale for raising our rates.

In determining a rate increase:

  1. No impact from Canada as tariffs negated
  2. Less costs from damages to storms (as many of the trees have been cut down)
  3. New approaches to collecting past due bills
    1. Use email, texts, QR codes, continued use of payment plans.
    2. Group past due bills based on demographics- age and number of people in HH- how to help these people.

What can we do?

  1. Post your comments on the NY Public Service Commission FACEBOOK-https://www.facebook.com/NYSPSC/
  2. File a complaint with the New York Public Service Commission (PSC ) online- https://www3.dps.ny.gov/ocs/itxgate.nsf/wdps_complaint.xsp
  3. Hochul has been highly critical of proposed electricity rate hikes so continue to support her efforts by going on the NY Public Service Commission facebook page and posting your comments.

Throughout 2025, Hochul has publicly and forcefully opposed significant rate increases sought by several utility companies in New York:

  • National Grid:After Hochul’s Department of Public Service (DPS) scrutinized the company’s rate case, the Public Service Commission (PSC) dramatically reduced National Grid’s initial rate request in August 2025.
  • NYSEG and RG&E:In July 2025, Hochul called on the DPS to scrutinize and protect consumers from “unacceptably high” rate hikes proposed by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E).
  • New York Power Authority (NYPA):In February 2025, she demanded that NYPA suspend a proposed electric rate hike, stating that “Too many New Yorkers are already falling behind on their energy bills”.
  • Con Edison:She blasted a proposed Con Edison rate hike as “unconscionable” in February 2025 and directed the DPS to audit the company

While you can contact your representative, Congressman Nick Langworthy has not opposed eliminating HEAP nor opposed NYSEG rate increases. You could contact Congressman Tim Kennedy- either by email (https://kennedy.house.gov/contact/) or his facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RepTimKennedy/)