In recent months, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) customers have been left baffled and frustrated as their electric bills have reportedly doubled or even tripled without clear explanations. Many consumers say they’re struggling to understand the sudden spike in costs, and despite reaching out to the utility company, they haven’t received satisfactory answers. This mounting frustration has led to the announcement of a public workshop aimed at addressing the issue and providing clarity on the rising charges.
The public workshop, organized by Assemblymember Paula Kay (D-100) and State Senator Peter Oberacker (R-51), is scheduled to take place on February 27, 2025, at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello, NY. The event will provide an opportunity for customers to voice their concerns, ask questions, and get their bills reviewed by representatives from NYSEG. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then again from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., allowing people from various parts of the county to attend.
The rising utility costs have become a statewide issue, with many people from different regions of New York experiencing similar spikes in their electric bills. These increases are especially concerning for residents who have not made any significant changes to their energy usage, leading them to question whether there are other factors at play. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has received a growing number of complaints, and local lawmakers are pushing for transparency and accountability from NYSEG.
Customer Experiences Mirror One Another: An Increasing Struggle
Cindy Hall, a resident from Unadilla, NY, shared her personal experience, highlighting the lack of communication and inconsistent billing practices she’s faced. “There were months when we didn’t get a bill at all, then suddenly we’d get a $3,000 bill. When I called, they’d tell me I didn’t owe anything, and then I’d get hit with a bill I couldn’t afford to pay,” Hall explained. Despite filing complaints with the PSC and reaching out to various sources, including Elon Musk’s energy ventures, Hall said she received no clear answers. “They told me, ‘This is your usage. Pay it or we shut off your electric,’” she added.
Other residents, such as Ryan Holland from south of Buffalo, have similarly seen significant increases in their bills. “I’ve seen my bill go from $300 to $500 to $710 in just a few months. And I don’t even use electric heating,” Holland said. As a propane business owner who relies primarily on propane for heating, Holland is puzzled by the surge in his NYSEG charges. He feels as though he’s paying for premium electricity, but NYSEG has failed to offer a reasonable explanation.
Sullivan County resident Mario Dubovici shared a similar story, stating, “The bills have been crazy lately, sometimes 30-50% more month over month, even though my usage hasn’t changed.” Like others, he has questioned whether the company’s new smart meters could be contributing to the issue, though NYSEG has maintained that these meters do not impact rates.
Julie James, a resident from Sidney, NY, described the financial strain caused by her NYSEG bill. “Our NYSEG bill has been over $500 since the winter started. The delivery charge alone is over $200. We’ve been sitting in our house in winter jackets since December because we cannot afford the bill,” James said. Despite efforts to conserve energy and reduce usage, her bill remained inexplicably high. “Since December, with no heat on, our bill is still reading an insane amount of usage,” she added. James’ experience has left her frustrated and struggling to make ends meet, especially with a husband who receives rental assistance.
Calls for Action Grow: Petitions and Public Pushback
Karen Meneghin, an advocate for NYSEG customers and administrator of the ‘My NYSEG Bill Doubled’ Facebook group, has rallied hundreds of individuals affected by the soaring bills. “We have over 1,200 signatures on a petition calling for a statewide investigation. This isn’t just happening here—this is a problem across New York,” Meneghin stated. She emphasized the critical financial burden that many families are facing, noting that residents should not have to choose between paying their electric bills and purchasing food.
NYSEG, for its part, has explained that the increase in charges is primarily due to factors such as higher supply costs, colder-than-usual winter weather, and grid improvements. However, many customers are skeptical of this explanation, arguing that it does not account for the sudden and dramatic rises in their bills. Lawmakers, along with concerned customers, are now calling for an independent audit to investigate whether these increases are truly justified or if there are other factors, including potential inefficiencies or billing errors, that are contributing to the higher costs.
What’s Next? The Upcoming Workshop
The public workshop on February 27 is expected to be a critical step in addressing the mounting concerns. NYSEG President Patricia Nilsen will be in attendance to listen to customer concerns, review individual bills, and inspect meters for customers who have seen extreme charges. Assemblymember Paula Kay is committed to pushing for answers and ensuring that NYSEG follows through on their promises to review the bills. “NYSEG has promised that they will look into every bill we give them. But if this is a bigger issue, we need more action,” Kay said.
For those unable to attend the workshop, NYSEG encourages customers to reach out to their customer service team for assistance. The company also offers budget billing programs that can help customers manage the fluctuations in their monthly energy costs. However, many customers feel these options do not go far enough in addressing the root causes of the problem, and they are pushing for broader regulatory oversight to ensure fair and transparent billing practices.
Looking Toward the Future
As the issue continues to affect more and more residents, the pressure on NYSEG to take action and provide clear explanations is mounting. Customers who have faced unjustifiable increases in their electric bills are demanding a thorough investigation and a resolution to ensure they are not unfairly burdened. The upcoming workshop will be a key moment for NYSEG to respond to these concerns and potentially address the systemic issues that have led to this widespread frustration.
In the meantime, lawmakers like Assemblymember Kay and Senator Oberacker are continuing their efforts to hold NYSEG accountable and provide relief to their constituents. Whether through legislative action or further public engagement, it’s clear that the rising electric bills have ignited a sense of urgency for change across New York State.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.