NEW YORK — A wave of proposed rate hikes by NYSEG and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) is drawing ire from both residents and elected officials, especially in Sullivan County, which has been left off the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) schedule of upcoming public hearings.

Despite the sweeping impact of the proposals, which would increase electric delivery charges by up to 35% and gas delivery by over 30%, not one of the scheduled in-person hearings is set to take place in Sullivan County, where thousands of NYSEG customers live. Instead, hearings are scheduled across upstate regions including Oneonta, Ithaca, Binghamton, Auburn and Rochester.

Local and state officials are speaking out

“The proposed rate increases will have a serious impact on our county and the constituents we serve,” wrote Assemblywoman Paula Kay in a recent Facebook post. “That’s why we’ve joined the case as formal intervenors and asked the PSC to hold at least one public hearing here in Sullivan, but that request hasn’t yet been granted.”

In the meantime, Kay’s office, in partnership with the Public Utility Law Project of NY (PULP), has committed to distributing informational materials to help residents prepare written testimony ahead of the upcoming virtual hearings on October 21. Advance registration is required by October 17.

Meanwhile, State Senator Peter Oberacker has introduced a Ratepayer Bill of Rights, a legislative package aimed at tightening utility oversight and improving transparency. The proposal would ban political contributions from regulated utilities, require full transparency on rate structures, and create financial safeguards for vulnerable customers.

“For too long, utility companies have operated in a system that favors profits over people,” stated Oberacker. “It’s time New Yorkers are treated like people, not bottom lines.”

NYSEG talks increases

Responding to criticism, Director of New York Communications at NYSEG Shelby Cohen said the proposed increases reflect rising demand, storm recovery costs, and compliance with state-mandated policies.

“First, it’s important to clarify that the Public Service Commission sets the locations for public hearings, not NYSEG,” Cohen said. “We have no input, and it is their show. But these hearings are part of New York’s transparent rate review process.”

Cohen explained that the delivery rate hikes would help fund infrastructure upgrades, customer service improvements, and compliance with policies like New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, prevailing wage laws, and broadband expansion.

She also pointed to legacy storm costs and a large backlog of unpaid customer bills.

“Unfortunately, when people don’t pay their bills, those arrears get socialized to all customers,” Cohen noted.

One of the biggest pressures on the system, Cohen said, is soaring demand for electricity across the state, especially in the region that includes Sullivan County.

“In 2022, we had only eight significant new load requests in your division [Sullivan County]. This year, we’ve had 49,” stated Cohen. 

These include new housing developments and businesses requiring major substation upgrades.

Since 2023, NYSEG has invested over $880 million in system improvements, installed nearly 1.5 million smart meters, and spent $90 million on vegetation management, which she said has led to a 79% drop in customer complaints.

“There’s more to go,” Cohen noted. “Thousands of miles of aging wires, wooden poles over 40 years old, and substations that are maxed out. We need to keep pace with increased usage and deliver the power people rely on.”

Without a direct hearing, how can Sullivan County participate?

Sullivan County residents who wish to participate in the upcoming virtual public statement hearings on NYSEG’s proposed rate increases can do so on Tuesday, October 21, at either 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. 

To speak during either of the virtual sessions, residents must register in advance by Friday, October 17. Registration can be done online by visiting https://dps.ny.gov/calendar, clicking “View DPS Calendar Listings,” locating the hearing under “NYSEG and RG&E Rates Public Statement Hearings” for the October 21 date, and then selecting “Register” beside the desired time slot. Registrants will receive an email with login instructions and connection details for the Webex platform used during the hearings.

For those without internet access or who prefer to participate by phone, registration is also available by calling the New York State Department of Public Service at 1-800-342-3330. Callers will be asked to provide their name, address, and phone number. 

On the day of the hearing, registered phone participants can join by dialing 1-929-251-9612 and entering the appropriate access code and password. For the 1 p.m. hearing, use access code 2820 664 3499 and password 62821017. For the 6 p.m. hearing, use access code 2827 094 8123 and password 62821067.

Even if residents don’t plan to speak, they are welcome to listen in on the hearings using the same phone number, access codes, and passwords.

These hearings offer an important opportunity for the public to weigh in on the proposed increases, especially since no in-person hearings have been scheduled in Sullivan County, despite requests from local officials, as of presstime. Participants are encouraged to prepare brief statements or written comments in advance to ensure their input is clearly presented. A verbatim transcript of each hearing will be added to the official record for consideration by the Public Service Commission.