Today, the New York State Public Service Commission approved National Grid’s rate hike proposal, increasing utility rates for business and residential customers in upstate New York. The decision establishes three-year electric and gas rate plan increase allowing the company to charge ratepayers $43 million more for electric, and $13 million for natural gas in the first year alone. Under the new rate plan, a typical residential National Grid customer will end up paying $102 more for the delivery of electricity each year and $91 more for the delivery of natural gas each year.

“With the extremely cold and even record-breaking temperatures we have seen this year, this decision from the Public Service Commission is very disappointing and one that will negatively impact families and businesses across Upstate New York,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “With National Grid set to receive about $76 million in savings under the new federal tax law, which reduces the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, increasing rates is simply unacceptable.”

“To say I’m disappointed in this decision from the Public Service Commission is an understatement,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “I have strongly opposed National Grid’s rate hike proposal from the start and will continue to take action to oppose this decision.”

Santabarbara is the sponsor of several bills to establish more oversight of the decisions made by the Public service commission. Among them, he introduced the Utility Ratepayer Protection Act (A.8666) in the State Assembly following National Grid’s application to the Public Service Commission last year. The legislation ensures that no changes can be made in utility rates without the consent of both houses of the legislature with a majority vote in each house. It also requires the utility to submit a written report to the legislature at least 180 days prior to the proposed date of any increase in rates for services by the utility. The report must also include justification for the proposal and information on the current financial condition of the utility. The bill also allows the legislature to request any additional data or information it deems necessary.

“While the Public Service Commission is charged with making decisions on rate hike proposals like this, they are not accountable to the residents here in Schenectady, Montgomery and Albany Counties who ultimately pay for these essential services,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “This bill would provide a much-needed extra layer of protection for ratepayers here in Upstate New York.”