(BINGHAMTON, NY) – Today, Senator Lea Webb and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo called on residents to participate in the Public Service Commission’s public comment period to provide feedback on NYSEG’s proposed double-digit rate increase.  

“I urge ratepayers to make their voices heard during the public comment period,” said Senator Lea Webb. “This is an important opportunity for the public to voice their concerns on the record to make sure the PSC understands the effect that any further increase would have on their livelihoods. Families and small businesses across Upstate New York are struggling to pay high utility bills and cannot afford another double-digit rate hike. I will continue to fight for measures to cut costs for residents and instill greater oversight in the rate setting process.”

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “I hear from constituents on a daily basis who are understandably upset with rising utility costs. They are worried and concerned about paying their bills. As the Public Service Commission looks at NYSEG's proposed rate increases, it's important that they have direct input from families and businesses alike who will be impacted. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the upcoming public hearings or submit written comments to make your voice heard ahead of the October 24th deadline.”

“PULP thanks Senator Webb and Assemblymember Lupardo for their efforts to spread the word locally about the NYSEG rate case, while also alerting the public that hearings are coming to Binghamton and Ithaca next week. The hearings are a vital opportunity for individuals, community leaders, business owners and more, to share their thoughts about NYSEG’s rate case, and how the proposals will directly impact them,” said Laurie Wheelock, Esq., Executive Director and Counsel with PULP

Webb and Lupardo announced several virtual and in-person opportunities for the public to speak out against NYSEG’s proposed rate hikes: 

In-Person Hearings: 

No advanced registration is required for in-person hearings. Individuals will be called to speak after signing in and completing a request card. 

DATE: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 

TIMES: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: Binghamton City Hall 

38 Hawley Street 

Binghamton, NY 13901 

DATE: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 

TIMES: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: Ithaca Town Hall 

215 N. Tioga Street 

Ithaca, NY 14850 

Virtual Hearings: 

Ratepayers must register in advance of the hearing to speak. The deadline is Friday, October 17, 2025. Registration information can be found on the PSC’s public hearing calendar or in the Rate Case’s DMM docket.

DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 

TIMES: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: Virtual

215 N. Tioga Street 

Ithaca, NY 14850 

Virtual and in-person hearings are held by the Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of the rate case process and provide customers with a chance to share their experiences and opinions directly with the PSC. Hearings are open to everyone. What ratepayers say becomes part of the official case record and can influence the outcome of the rate case.

Comments can also be submitted online, through mail, or over the phone until October 24th. Visit the “Other Ways to Comment” section on the Department of Public Service’s Hearing Information Webpage to learn more.

Background: 

On June 30, 2025 NYSEG filed a rate hike request with the PSC that proposes to increase delivery rates by 35% for electricity customers and 39.4% for natural gas customers. If approved by the PSC, the new rates would take effect on May 1, 2026. 

NYSEG estimates that the requested increase in delivery revenues will result in a monthly bill increase of $33.12 (23.7 percent increase to total bill) for a typical residential customer using 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

NYSEG estimates that the requested increase in delivery revenues will result in a monthly bill increase of $33.57 (33.5 percent increase to total bill) for a typical residential heating customer using 83 therms.

Rate Case Overview: 

When a utility company (like your electric, gas, or private water provider) wants to change how  much it charges to deliver service to your home, it must first file a request with the New York State Public Service Commission (“PSC”). The filing of that request kicks off a formal administrative process referred to as a rate case. 

A rate case is the process the PSC uses to review the utility’s request. The company must explain why it needs to raise delivery rates and provide detailed information about its costs and future plans. Other parties, such as advocates, elected officials, municipalities, and other stakeholders, can also participate in this process by submitting evidence, asking questions, and making arguments to rebut the utility’s request. The PSC considers all of this, along with the public’s input, before deciding whether to approve or modify the request.  

Only delivery rates (what it costs to bring service to a ratepayer’s home or business) are regulated by the PSC. Supply charges (the actual cost of gas or electricity) are set by the market and passed through to ratepayers at no markup. 

The public can track active electric and gas rate cases on the Department of Public Service’s website. You can also submit written comments online using the PSC’s Document Matter Management  System (“DMM”).  

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