(Long Island, NY) Statement by Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP in New York State:
“AARP is glad the PSC reiterated its preliminary recommendation to cut PSEG’s proposal for an historically high, $441 million electric delivery rate increase by 26 percent – but LIPA should do better.
“Long Islanders would still have to pony up well over $300 million more during the next three years if LIPA accepts the PSC’s recommendation.
“Long Islanders already face the third highest residential electric costs in the continental United States. Last year, about 16,000 households were at least temporarily cut off for nonpayment. And a 2014 AARP survey showed nearly half the Island’s 50 and older voters were ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ concerned about being able to pay their utility bills in the coming years.
“All of this signals a crisis in affordability that we hope LIPA will address by finding ways to further mitigate this rate hike.”
