Have your voice heard and demand an emergency rate freeze
UPDATE: Sign the Online Petition
By Andrew Harris, visit New Yorkers Advocating For Affordable Electric Rates on Facebook
It seems the monthly electric bill has always gradually increased, year over year, month over month. Utility companies have been granted generous rate increases, despite earning very healthy profits.
In January 2025, my bill caused my blood pressure to skyrocket with a nearly $500 monthly bill, about 150% higher than an average month. I heard other crying similar cries that it wasn’t affordable, families going deep into utility debt, and that nagging question in the back ratepayers minds, “are they going to shut me off?”
Fast forward a year to January 2026. Social media is filled with bewildered ratepayers, outraged homeowners, and business owners. “My electric bill is more than my mortgage!!,” “How will I make payroll?” or “So I pay for childcare or home heating this month ?” I didn’t dare open my electric bill email until last week, attempting to manifest some miracle.
No miracles or magic would help, the bill for the month was now $900, more than the car payment or the mortgage. Without any major changes, the bill had doubled. I went around the house and turned off all the lights. Of course I started to say nasty things about and directly to my “smart meter.” Was that to blame? The nice man who cajoled me into agreeing to have it installed promised more accurate readings and more efficient delivery.
More poking around lead me to a Facebook group, “New Yorkers Advocating for Affordable Electric Rates.” where I found many just like me, scrambling for what the heck is going on ?!?! The harsh reality clearly is widespread, impacting families and businesses alike.
Explaining why is complicated, and so are the solutions to bringing electric rates back to sane levels. What can be done in the near term is to demand an emergency rate freeze.
You can make your voice heard by filling out this form:
https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Comments/PublicComments.aspx?MatterCaseNo=25-e-0375
Other groups like, NYSEG needs to be held accountable!!, have new members engaging by the hour. This recent statement sums up the sentiments of those who are turning to social media for answers:
“Hi! I’m new to this group. I recently joined because there is IMO something drastically wrong with these huge increases, especially with all the solar fields that have been allowed to ruin the countryside and destroy the land. We get no benefit from them, so who does?”
