Presiding Officer calls for more transparency, protection of seasonal rates
(Long Island, NY) In a brief filed on behalf of the County with the New York State Public Service Commission, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory has criticized several components of LIPA and PSEG LI’s proposed rate plan, which would result in an average rate hike of 3.2 percent, including a doubling of the fixed service charge to $20 per month by 2018. Additionally, Gregory opposed a proposal by the Department of Public Service that would eliminate seasonal electric heat rates.
“Our interest in the proposed rate plan is two-fold,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “We are custodians of the tax dollars that pay the county’s electric bill, and we are advocates for our constituents, many of whom are on fixed incomes in all-electric homes. Those individuals and their families would be devastated by the elimination of seasonal electric heat rates. I have serious concerns with this plan, as well as with the proposal by DPS to eliminate seasonal electric heat rates, and I urge DPS, LIPA and PSEG LI to consider the alternatives set forth in this brief.”
Presiding Officer Gregory also called upon PSEG LI to increase transparency, even submitting an Excel-based calculator that can be converted into an online tool allowing customers to compare projections of their future bills under the new proposed rates. The calculator was developed by Joseph Schroeder, an energy specialist within the Legislature’s Office of Budget Review. Schroeder was inspired to create the calculator because he felt the “entire process would better serve ratepayers if the impact on consumers were presented in a format that was intended to be understood by non-industry professionals.”
“As elected officials, we cannot blindly accept any rate hike proposal put forth by a utility company,” said Deputy Presiding Officer Jay Schneiderman. “I encourage PSEG to review the Presiding Officer’s brief and come back to the table with another proposal.”
“As elected official, I am not only concerned with the impacts PSEG’s proposed rate hike will have on homeowners and other PSEG customers, but I am very concerned about how it would affect Suffolk County’s budget as well,” said 1st District Legislator Al Krupski. “We already have some of the highest electric utility rates in the country, and Suffolk County currently expends $23 million for electricity use per year.”
To read the Presiding Officer’s brief in its entirety, click on “Recent Reports” in the upper-right- hand corner of the Suffolk County Legislature’s homepage, legis.suffolkcountyny.gov.
