AARP NY Urges Governor to Oppose National Grid’s Double-Digit Electricity and Gas Rate Hike

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EN ESPAÑOL | ALBANY, N.Y. — AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on National Grid’s rate increase proposal that would result in major utility bill increases for customers, including more than 230,000 who are already 60 days or more behind on their bills:

“On May 29, I sent a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to continue to publicly oppose not only National Grid’s egregious rate increase request, but to also recommend the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) reject the rate increase contained in the Joint Proposal recently submitted by the utility and Department of Public Service staff.

 “That agreement, to be voted on by the PSC in the near future, would see electric delivery rate increases total nearly 28% over three years and gas rates increase 36% over the same period. The Governor is working to make New York an affordable state to live and age, and we’re deeply concerned that those efforts will be undermined by the approval of these enormous increases on households across Upstate New York.

 “As of April, more than 230,000 households in National Grid’s service territory are 60 days or more behind on their utility bills, owing more than $350 million, and nearly 60,000 households have received a final termination notice due to nonpayment. Allowing National Grid to increase its rates as the agreement currently stands will only boost those arrears numbers, putting more New Yorkers behind on their electric and gas bills, including many older people living on a fixed income.

 “AARP is asking Governor Hochul to lead once again and step up for all New Yorkers in making energy more affordable at a time when the cost for so many other necessities – food, housing, medications – continues to rise, impacting older adults and vulnerable households in particular.”

 Read full letter here.

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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