ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – More than a quarter of utility delivery fees paid by New York customers go to the state, according to an advocacy group that’s calling for accountability.
New Yorkers for Affordable Energy says 25% of delivery charges are taxes, mandates and fees imposed by the state’s Public Service Commission that fund environmental programs.
It says an additional 10% funds the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which is the state’s plan to reduce its carbon footprint.
“These policies have caused a significant increase in the pricing of energy to run the entire state,” said Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.
The group describes itself as a coalition of community, labor, business and industry leaders from across the state who support greater access to clean, reliable and affordable sources of energy for residential and business consumers.
Political divide over blame
State Senate Democrats held a news conference on Wednesday, targeting energy companies like National Grid and blaming them for the increase in energy costs.
Ortega says the Democrats are pointing the finger at the wrong people and should look in the mirror.
“These policies are not coming out of the industry. These policies are not coming out of customers. They’re coming from the legislature,” Ortega said.
State Sen. Mark Walczyk (R-49th District), who represents parts of the North Country, also criticized Democrats for delivery cost increases.
“You can anticipate 25, 30 percent of that is literally just to meet state mandates for a lot of these clean energy projects that the state isn’t even building,” Walczyk said.
NYSERDA surplus proposal
Walczyk pointed to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s financial plan, which shows the agency’s net position will exceed $2 billion for fiscal year 2025.
He proposed returning that money to customers through bill credits.
“Right now, rate payers need relief,” Walczyk said. “So I offer this amendment to send that money directly back on a credit to people’s bills. It would relieve them right now of some of the record-high energy prices that they’re seeing.”
Democrats have introduced legislation they say will hold utility companies accountable and protect customers.
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