New York Assemblyman Michael Cashman, (D) NY-115, calls on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in and help get North Country electric bills lowered.Within his first 100 days in office, Cashman has already introduced a bill addressing one of the top issues in the region right now: high utility bills.”This is the highest electric bill I’ve ever had in 35 years,” said city of Plattsburgh resident Diane Duffy-Patyjewicz.Cashman’s bill calls for capping electric rate increases to 2.5% and putting a 180-day pause on utility companies for independent reviews to be conducted.”It requires clear, itemized utility bills and no hidden fees,” said Cashman. “And it would establish a utility accountability audit unit with enforcement powers.”The bill would also create a community affordability protection program for families below a certain income.Cashman addressed a group at Senior Planet in Plattsburgh on Friday.”We have friends that are on fixed incomes and they can’t afford it,” said Duffy-Patyjewicz. “I don’t know how long we’re going to be able to afford it.”Cashman said his bill has received co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle and made its way to the energy committee.But he wants Hochul to step in.”I’m calling on the governor to intervene with executive order, and there are other governors around the country that are doing exactly that,” said Cashman. “We need the governor to step up.”Hochul said massive data and AI centers are driving up electricity demand. But both NYSEG and the NYS Department of Public Service mainly attribute the rise in costs to the extreme cold.A spokesperson for the New York Independent System Operator said demand has been increasing over the past few winters.”We’re seeing electrification of both the building and the transportation sector,” said Kevin Lanahan with NYISO. “So, more people are buying and selling heat pumps for heating purposes. And then, more people are buying electric vehicles.”Cashman said he be dogged in his fight to lower electric costs for everyone in the region.He also encourages people to attend the town of Plattsburgh’s forum with NSYEG on March 2.
New York Assemblyman Michael Cashman, (D) NY-115, calls on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in and help get North Country electric bills lowered.
Within his first 100 days in office, Cashman has already introduced a bill addressing one of the top issues in the region right now: high utility bills.
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“This is the highest electric bill I’ve ever had in 35 years,” said city of Plattsburgh resident Diane Duffy-Patyjewicz.
Cashman’s bill calls for capping electric rate increases to 2.5% and putting a 180-day pause on utility companies for independent reviews to be conducted.
“It requires clear, itemized utility bills and no hidden fees,” said Cashman. “And it would establish a utility accountability audit unit with enforcement powers.”
The bill would also create a community affordability protection program for families below a certain income.
Cashman addressed a group at Senior Planet in Plattsburgh on Friday.
“We have friends that are on fixed incomes and they can’t afford it,” said Duffy-Patyjewicz. “I don’t know how long we’re going to be able to afford it.”
Cashman said his bill has received co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle and made its way to the energy committee.
But he wants Hochul to step in.
“I’m calling on the governor to intervene with executive order, and there are other governors around the country that are doing exactly that,” said Cashman. “We need the governor to step up.”
Hochul said massive data and AI centers are driving up electricity demand. But both NYSEG and the NYS Department of Public Service mainly attribute the rise in costs to the extreme cold.
A spokesperson for the New York Independent System Operator said demand has been increasing over the past few winters.
“We’re seeing electrification of both the building and the transportation sector,” said Kevin Lanahan with NYISO. “So, more people are buying and selling heat pumps for heating purposes. And then, more people are buying electric vehicles.”
Cashman said he be dogged in his fight to lower electric costs for everyone in the region.
He also encourages people to attend the town of Plattsburgh’s forum with NSYEG on March 2.
