Every month, countless families across New York face an alarming routine. They gather around their kitchen tables, open their gas and electric bills, and are confronted with yet another increase. The immediate panic sets in as they calculate what expenses they can cut to manage the mounting costs.
As of this year, over 1.2 to 1.3 million New Yorkers find themselves struggling to keep up with utility bills, collectively owing between $1.8 and $2.3 billion. In New York City and Westchester, nearly 16% of Con Edison customers ended 2024 with unpaid bills, accumulating close to $950 million in arrears. This situation highlights the real struggles families are facing, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes and small businesses grappling with financial burdens they cannot sustain.
Yet, while New Yorkers are grappling with these daunting bills, regulatory oversight from Albany has seen little action. Utility companies such as Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, and RG&E have repeatedly sought permission to raise rates, and the Public Service Commission, a small group of Albany appointees, has largely approved these hikes without thorough scrutiny. This leaves many questions unanswered: Are these rate increases justified? Are there adequate protections for affordability? What happens when utilities over-collect or under-spend?
The role of the State Comptroller is crucial in this situation. As the fiscal watchdog of New York, the Comptroller is responsible for auditing state agencies and ensuring public funds are managed transparently. In the context of rising energy bills, this means advocating for accountability and investigating the rationale behind cost increases when they occur.
Unfortunately, consistent and rigorous reviews of the Public Service Commission’s rate-setting decisions have been lacking. The Comptroller has not sufficiently pushed for stronger regulatory tools that would allow for meaningful oversight of utility spending linked to approved plans or requiring transparency about the use of ratepayer dollars.
For working New Yorkers, these issues are not just regulatory concerns; they are a reality that manifests as an extra $25, $40, or $60 burden on top of rent, groceries, and other essential expenses. Vulnerable groups, such as seniors and immigrant families, are particularly affected, while small businesses face razor-thin profit margins.
In recent years, energy costs have surged by 25–35% across various parts of the state, driven in part by increased demand from new high-load users, including data centers and artificial intelligence facilities. Often, everyday ratepayers bear the brunt of these costs while large corporations negotiate discounts.
The Comptroller’s duty is clear: every dollar consumers pay on their utility bills should be treated with the same scrutiny as public funds.
This involves auditing how utility rate hikes are assessed and ensuring that affordability is prioritized, tracking major energy deals to discern who benefits, and advocating for legislative measures that protect ratepayers.
A more proactive approach is needed. New Yorkers cannot afford more complacency or uncritical approval of increasing costs. If utilities can raise rates, it is imperative that an independent watchdog is there to monitor these changes closely. As someone who aspires to the role of State Comptroller, the goal is to instill a sense of responsibility and accountability that reflects the needs of the people.
Moving forward, it is essential to modernize the energy grid and responsibly manage new technologies without imposing further strain on households already pushed to their limits. Every dollar on a utility bill is a reflection of governmental priorities, and New Yorkers deserve a Comptroller who champions their interests with vigilance and dedication.