AARP NY, Advocates Urge Governor to Sign Independent Utility Advocate Bill

AARP New York

Law Would Give New Yorkers a dedicated, independent voice to fight for fairness in utility rate decisions

EN ESPAÑOL | Albany, N.Y. — AARP New York was joined today by fellow consumer advocates at the state Capitol to call upon Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that would create an independent office to represent everyday consumers in utility rate cases.

AARP New York and AARP members hand-delivered 4,000 letters from constituents calling on the governor to sign S.6277 (Scarcella-Spanton)/A.2468 (Dinowitz) into law to ensure utility customers have a dedicated advocate with a seat at the regulatory table.

“We’ve been advocating for an independent utility advocate in New York for far too long. Most states and the District of Columbia already have offices for independent utility advocates,” AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said. “It’s high time for New York to level the playing field for the consumer who cannot afford a legion of lawyers to fight for their rights, like utilities have at their disposal. Once signed, this legislation will help New York State become more affordable, a well-known and noble goal the governor has for her constituents.”

Utilities, funded by their ratepayers, spend nearly $20 million annually on legal teams, consultants, and extensive professional and administrative staff to raise rates, while residential consumer advocates have minimal resources, making it difficult to challenge utility proposals or influence outcomes in rate cases.

The bill would level that playing field by creating the state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. According to the legislation, the powers of the office would include initiating, intervening and participating on behalf of residential utility consumers in proceedings before the Public Service Commission, the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, state and local administrative and regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts in matters that would substantially affect residential utility customers.

Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said: “As utility rates continue to skyrocket and everyday New Yorkers continue struggling to pay their utility bills, it is essential that their interests are represented and considered when utility companies make the decision to increase rates. As a legislator, one of the top issues my constituents share with me is the rising costs of utilities, which is why it is critical that our legislation creating the state office of the Utility Consumer Advocate is signed into law by the Governor.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “The 4,000 petitions from AARP members asking for my legislation (A.2468/S.6277) to be signed into law that would create the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate underscores how vital this legislation is for older New Yorkers, many of whom live on a fixed income. The egregious rate hikes utility companies have been able to impose on AARP members and other ratepayers is due in no small part to the fact that there is no independent entity fighting solely on behalf of residential utility consumers, ultimately subjecting some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers to skyrocketing utility costs. My bill would ensure that consumers have a power advocate whose sole mission is to represent their interests and intervene when utility companies seek to gouge their customers, as they have been. This legislation will help make New York more affordable, a cause which I know that Governor Hochul is committed to, and I urge her to sign it into law.”

“PULP urges Governor Hochul to sign the bill creating an independent Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (A.2468/S.6277) into law. Now is the time for New York State to level the playfield by bringing an independent advocate to the table in utility rate cases. As companies continue to file double-digit requests to increase delivery costs, we must find ways to grow representation and advocacy in the rate case process,” said Laurie Wheelock, PULP Executive Director. “New York can look to other states, including California, where independent advocates save utility customers money every year. PULP thanks Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for their leadership on this issue.”

“New Yorkers are getting hammered by high utility rates, pushing some 430,000 New Yorkers in June to the brink of service termination. One reason is that utility lawyers, engineers, and economists drown out consumer voices in rate proceedings. The kicker is that ratepayers end up paying for the millions of dollars of utility lobbying for rate hikes in their monthly bills. Renters and homeowners need utility rate relief,” said Russ Haven, General Counsel, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). “Establishing an independent utility advocate office will help level the playing field in Public Service Commission and other utility proceedings and keep the lid on rate hikes. The experience in other states shows that independent advocate offices can make a big difference and it’s time that Governor Hochul got on board.”

AARP is also fighting a number of proposed rate hikes by utility companies that will see consumers’ bills skyrocket. An independent advocate would boost the call for affordability, plain-language reporting and transparency, so ratepayers can understand their bills and hold companies accountable. Visit AARP New York’s utility blog at aarp.org/NYutilities for more information on New York’s utility affordability crisis.

Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY, Facebook: AARP New York and LinkedIn: AARP New York

About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.
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