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Yates County to NYSEG: Fix Bills Before Rate Hikes

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Yates County wants New York State Electric and Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric to straighten out the billing mistakes that thousands of customers have recently encountered before the state and its Public Service Commission consider the utility’s proposal for a rate hike. Legislator Edward Bronson introduced a resolution that was approved Monday that calls on the state to dismiss the request.

The state’s Department of Public Service staff experts have reviewed the NYSEG and RG&E rate filings, and as documented in public records, testified to the many deficiencies and errors contained in those filings. Staff further stated that the Companies have been vague and non-responsive to their questions and that this is the second successive rate filing in which these issues have occurred, and similar problems were noted in a 2016 management audit as well.

NYSEG has reportedly requested a 34.9% rate increase for electric and a 14.9% rate increase for gas customers which together would result in an annual bill increase of approximately $240 for the average residential customer. Meanwhile, RG&E seeks a 21% rate increase for electric and an 18.8% hike for gas customers, which combined would result in an annual bill increase of nearly $260 for an average residential customer.

Governor Kathy Hochul has called the rate hike request “outrageous and unacceptable.”

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