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This legislation will provide New Yorkers with a better understanding of what they are paying for in their energy utility bills. At a time of growing public concerns over the rising cost of energy, it is crucial that New Yorkers have the information they need to understand what factors are impacting energy costs.
Specifically, this legislation would require that bills issued to customers by gas, electric and combined gas and electric utilities provide separate charges for major components of a customer’s bill. These separate charges would be for
- the energy commodity (which are set by the market),
- energy delivery (rates regulated by the Public Service Commission),
- and – importantly – “all charges approved by the commission which have a statewide impact,
are not directly related to the recovery of costs for the provision of service . . . and which further a policy of the state beyond the financial integrity of such [utility.]
State assessments, including the Clean Energy Standard, generate billions of dollars for state investments in green energy. However, under current law, utilities are not allowed to include a separate line for state assessments on customer bills, as the Public Service Law gives the PSC sole authority to authorize what information is included on the billing statement.
This bill would require the PSC allow for customer bills to include a separate category that includes all charges approved by the PSC with a statewide impact.
This legislation would provide greater transparency as to the impact of state assessment on energy bills paid for by New Yorkers and give utility customers a better understanding of both the amount and increase of different components of their monthly utility bills.
For these reasons, we support adoption of S.8128/A.8414 and urge the Senate’s passage before adjournment of the 2026 session.