{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"NYSEG and RG&E Propose Steep Utility Bill Increases Amid Mounting Criticism","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":869,"description":"Residents across upstate New York could soon see a sharp rise in their utility bills. New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), both subsidiaries of the multinational utility giant Avangrid, have submitted proposals for rate increases that could raise average monthly bills by more than 30% for some customers.The utilities say the hikes are necessary to address aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and financial pressures. But the proposal has sparked a wave of backlash from consumer advocates, elected officials, and even state regulators, who are questioning whether these increases are justified—or even fair.“These companies are requesting increased rates at a time when they're already facing a lot of criticism for the current cost of service,” said Liam Mayo, reporter for The River Reporter, in an interview discussing the developments. “People already saw big spikes in their utility bills this past winter, and now this proposal adds insult to injury.”What’s in the Proposal?Under the one-year proposal covering May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, NYSEG customers could see an average electric bill rise from $139 to $172 per month—a 23.7% increase. Some increases, depending on service and customer usage, could reach or exceed 33%.The companies say the increases are unavoidable. In filings submitted to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), NYSEG and RG&E cite several drivers for the proposed hikes: long-overdue infrastructure upgrades, compliance with evolving state regulations, and limited access to capital markets due to poor credit metrics.But critics are skeptical.Audit Raises Serious ConcernsA recently released audit commissioned by the PSC found significant management and operational deficiencies within both utilities. The audit, completed in February but made public more recently, found that corporate decision-making at the parent company, Avangrid, has interfered with the operations of NYSEG and RG&E. The...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}