‘Out of nowhere.’ NYSEG customers question unexpectedly high utility bills
Customers say they can’t afford the utility bills and are worried about their living expenses.
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Frustrated energy customers across the Hudson Valley are reaching out to News 12 with concerns about the cost of energy bills that they claim have suddenly increased by hundreds of dollars.
The complaints are largely from NYSEG customers in Sullivan County about charges from November to January – which appear to show a whopping 40-percent jump in both on and off-peak supply charges.
“{It’s} up to $600. What the heck is going on here,” says Robert Saracelli, from Rock Hill. “This is not right. I’ve lived in this house for ten years and it’s never been that high ever.”
Saracelli provided News 12 copies of his bills which show he paid $119.56 for 682 kilowatts of usage in November, $417.64 for 2,376 kilowatts in December and $595.09 for 2,785 kilowatts in January. The bills indicate that both on-and off-peak electric supply charges during this time increased by a total of roughly 40%.
“I keep my house around 66 degrees so it’s not like I’m running it at 75. It certainly is not Palm Beach in here.”
Saracelli says he lives in a two-bedroom, 750-square-foot home.
Chris McDermott lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Monticello and says his NYSEG electric bills for hot water and lights increased from November to January from $85 a month to $331. He says his heat is included in his rent.
“It’s severely disruptive. My mom is on a limited income and I’m not working at the moment. It just changed out of nowhere,” McDermott says.
Max Weissman, a NYSEG spokesperson, says, “In NYSEG areas, it has been almost 16% colder this year as compared to last year and when it is colder it takes more energy to heat a home. NYSEG encourages customers who have questions about their bill to contact us immediately so we can explain the reasons their bills would fluctuate throughout the year and find ways they can save on energy usage and costs.”
Customers we spoke to say they have been unable to get through to NYSEG due to lengthy wait times to speak with a representative or are simply offered payment plans. The company additionally suggests customers with concerns about supply charges reach out to the New York Independent System Operator. NYSEG says NYISO controls the purchase supply, controls where it goes and that it does not profit from these costs.
News 12 reached out to NYISO for comment and is awaiting response.
Central Hudson and Orange and Rockland utility customers have also reached out to News 12 about what they say are sudden increases in their bills showing recent charges from roughly $200 a month to as much as $900 for a single bill for what they claim to be small residences.
The concerns come as several utility companies seek to increase rates even more.
Just this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed officials to reject a proposed rate hike by Con Edison and ordered an audit of all state utility company employee salaries.
“We are aware of the impact of affordability on all New Yorkers, which is why we proudly invest millions of dollars in energy assistance programs for low and moderate income customers in our service territory,” says O&R spokesperson Vito Signorelli. “As we continue working to enroll all eligible customers, we also have a responsibility to continue delivering reliable service safely and efficiently to our customers.”
O&R and Central Hudson have also both submitted proposed rate hikes to the Public Service Commission.
“We need a new plan in place in order to continue to make needed investments in the energy system to maintain reliability and comply with New York’s clear energy mandates,” says Central Hudson spokesperson Joe Jenkins.
Customers, however, say they can’t afford the utility bills and are worried about their living expenses.
“Everything has increased. My car insurance has gone up, groceries have gone up, eggs are through the roof,” says Saracelli. “Gasoline is still high and now my electric bill has doubled. I used to work overtime to pay for vacations. Now I work overtime to pay NYSEG.”
