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\u2019s calling for accountability.<\/p>\n
New Yorkers for Affordable Energy says 25% of delivery charges are taxes, mandates and fees imposed by the state\u2019s Public Service Commission that fund environmental programs. <\/p>\n
It says an additional 10% funds the state\u2019s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which is the state\u2019s plan to reduce its carbon footprint. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese policies have caused a significant increase in the pricing of energy to run the entire state,\u201d said Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Political divide over blame<\/p>\n
State Senate Democrats held a news conference on Wednesday, targeting energy companies like National Grid and blaming them for the increase in energy costs. <\/p>\n
Ortega says the Democrats are pointing the finger at the wrong people and should look in the mirror.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese policies are not coming out of the industry. These policies are not coming out of customers. They\u2019re coming from the legislature,\u201d Ortega said.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Mark Walczyk (R-49th District), who represents parts of the North Country, also criticized Democrats for delivery cost increases.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou 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\u2019t even building,\u201d Walczyk said.<\/p>\n
NYSERDA surplus proposal<\/p>\n
Walczyk pointed to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority\u2019s financial plan, which shows the agency\u2019s net position will exceed $2 billion for fiscal year 2025.<\/p>\n
He proposed returning that money to customers through bill credits.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, rate payers need relief,\u201d Walczyk said. \u201cSo I offer this amendment to send that money directly back on a credit to people\u2019s bills. It would relieve them right now of some of the record-high energy prices that they\u2019re seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democrats have introduced legislation they say will hold utility companies accountable and protect customers.<\/p>\n
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