Albany, NY – The increases in the rate of public services in the national network approved by the State Public Service Commission are not well seated with a member of the State Assembly which announced Friday the introduction of legislation which would allow the legislature of the State to examine and potentially cancel the price increases.
The Angelo Santabarbara Assembly claims that the law on the legislative examination of the increase in public services rates receives a direct response to the increase in the national electricity and natural gas network, saying that they will cost customers in the northern state of around $ 600 per year.
The bill would provide legislative surveillance by requiring a window to examine the state legislature of 60 days for the increases approved by the PSC before being implemented, and would give the State legislature the power to cancel or reduce increases. It would allow the examination of the approved increases by going up 12 months and would force the PSC to inform the governor, the legislators and the public within 24 hours of the approval of the additional rate costs.
The Democrat Asasemblyman said that he had heard families from his district of Schenectady County who were surprised by the new increases.
“Public services are an important burden for New Yorkers,” said Santabarbara. “This bill ensures that when important decisions like this are made, elected representatives have the opportunity to intervene on behalf of the people they serve – even if the PSC has already approved it.”
The PSC is responsible for the regulation of electricity, gas, steam, telecommunications and water services from New York State and supervise the cable industry. It consists of seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate for six -year mandates.
The three -year rate plan approved for the national network increases electric prices and gas for customers in New York.
According to the company, residential electricity customers who use an average of 625 kilowatt hours per month would see an estimated monthly increase of $ 14.32 in the first year, $ 6.44 in the second year and $ 4.34 in third year.
Residential natural gas customers who use an average of 78 therms per month would see a total increase in monthly invoices estimated at $ 7.66 in the first year, $ 8.08 in the second year and $ 9.18 on the third year, the company said.
