Statement by Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP in New York State
(Long Island, NY) “LIPA should find whatever ways it can to cut more than the 26% the PSC recommended from PSEG’s proposed historically high, $441 million three-year revenue increase – as several trustees said they’d like to do.
“Long Island utility consumers would still have to pay over $325 million more if the Long Island Power Authority accepts the state Public Service Commission’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 shows a crisis in affordability that we hope LIPA will address by exploring whatever avenues may be at its disposal to further mitigate this rate hike.
“But recent reports questioning whether LIPA can even reduce the increase more than the PSC recommended further point to the need for New York to join 40 other states in establishing a strong and independent utility consumer advocate that could act as a watchdog as energy policy is developed and rate hikes are considered.”
Follow us on Twitter: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
