ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Tuesday afternoon kicked off the first of several public hearings state regulators are holding surrounding proposed rate hikes from RG&E and NYSEG. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is the governing body which will make a final determination of any rate hikes, if approved, which was most recently done in 2023.
The project is under the name ‘Powering NY’ which calls for a one-year plan with the possibility of expanding to a phased-in approach. Both companies, which are owned by Avangrid, cite aging infrastructure, increased energy demands and grid modernizations as just a few of the urgent needs which would be funded, in part, by the increased rates. The PSC Chief Administrative Law Judge presided over the public hearing in Rochester on Tuesday, with other locations across the state hosting public hearings, as well.
RG&E expecting increases in electric bills of just over $33 (26% increase), and for gas bills $18.87 (22.2% increase). NYSEG’s proposed increases to electric would result in about a $33 increase and about $33.50 for gas…