Poll: New Yorkers Demand Bill Transparency and Relief as Energy Costs Steadily Skyrocket
Voters Surprised to Learn More Than 20% of Their Monthly Bill Goes to Taxes and State‑Mandated Programs
ALBANY – A new statewide survey of more than 2,000 New York voters finds overwhelming concern about rising utility bills and broad bipartisan support for greater bill transparency, fewer hidden fees, and common‑sense reform of how energy costs are charged and disclosed.
According to a survey of 2,058 voters conducted March 11–15th, 80% of respondents said they are worried their utility bills could become unaffordable within the next year. More than half (52%) feel their electricity bills are unreasonable, and nearly two‑thirds believe hidden fees are responsible for driving costs higher.
The poll shows near‑universal support (88%) for itemizing utility bills to clearly separate supply costs, delivery costs, and government taxes and fees. When voters learn that more than $20 of every $100 of their bill goes to state and local programs rather than the energy itself, 53% said they understood rising costs are largely driven by factors outside a utility’s control.
In addition to the fiscal concerns, the poll revealed that New Yorkers desperately need clarity on what they’re paying for their power use and why. The opaque billing system has caused confusion, as only 16% of voters say they are “very familiar” with the charges on their bills, and 76% do not know who approves the rates they pay.
“New Yorkers struggling with the increasingly high cost of power want clarity, fairness, and accountability when it comes to their monthly energy bills,” said Heather Mulligan, President & CEO, The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “They deserve nothing less - consumers should be able to clearly see and understand what they are paying for, including taxes and state mandates that quickly add up. This is not a partisan issue; it’s about honesty in billing and policies that protect consumers and preserve reliability while the state pursues its climate goals.”
About the Poll
The poll is part of The Business Council’s affordability campaign, which aims to encourage informed public discussion of policies that affect economic opportunity and financial stability across the state. The survey was conducted online by Tunnl among 2,058 registered New York voters. Results were weighted to reflect statewide demographics. Margin of error: ±2.2 percentage points.