AARP: NYS Assembly Gives Voice to Utility Consumers; Where’s Senate?

Contacts:  Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org ; David Irwin, dirwin@aarp.org

Association Calls on Senate Majority Coalition Leader Skelos & His Conference to Back Independent Utility Consumer Advocate

Statement from Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State, on today’s State Assembly passage of A.6239B :

“Speaker Silver, Assemblyman Dinowitz and the Assembly took a giant step for New Yorkers today by passing legislation to create an independent utility consumer advocate office with the power to go to court over unfair rate increases.

“New Yorkers pay the highest average residential electric rates in the continental United States, and it’s no wonder we’re one of only a handful of states without an independent advocate for utility consumers. The vast majority of states save their residents millions of dollars through utility consumer advocate offices, and AARP strongly agrees with Governor Cuomo’s Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response that New York should get on board.

“New York consumers are struggling to balance their kitchen table economies, and they already pick up the $10 million-plus annual tab for their utility companies to push regulators for rate increases. Who’s at the regulatory table fighting for them?

“AARP calls on Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Skelos and his conference to join the Assembly, Senator Klein and the Independent Democratic Conference before the end of this year’s legislative session and give New York’s seven million residential utility consumers a meaningful voice.”

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org .

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