NY consumers young and old support utility watchdog

May 8, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

New Yorkers pay some of the highest utility rates in the nation and with the possible dismantling of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) looming, even higher rates are likely.

An AARP survey of mostly LIPA customers (all 50-plus years old) reveals that 77 percent want an independent consumer advocate office to fight for reasonable residential energy rates and 69 percent say their elected officials aren't doing enough to help fight rising energy costs.

Legislation setting up an independent utility consumer advocate office in New York, Assembly Bill 6239 sponsored by Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and Senate Bill 4550 sponsored by Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island), has recently been introduced in the state legislature and is supported by AARP.

According to another AARP survey of New Yorkers ages 18 and up conducted by Siena pollsters, 75 percent want to level the playing field in utility rate hike and complex regulatory cases but don't believe lawmakers are helping. An equal number of respondents support creating a utility consumer advocate office in New York.

"New Yorkers are getting hammered by soaring energy bills and utility companies have the money, resources and muscle to push these bills even higher with another rate hike. Consumers lack, literally, all of those tools in New York State, and it's time to change the game," said Beth Finkel, state director for AARP in New York. "This survey found New Yorkers are sick and tired of soaring bills and they want their lawmakers to do something about it. New York has got to catch up with the rest of the nation."

For more:
- see this report
- read Senate Bill 4550
- read Assembly Bill 6239

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/ny-consumers-young-and-old-support-utility-watchdog/2013-05-08