MONTICELLO — This winter, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers across New York have seen their electric bills jump, with some paying double or even triple their usual amount. In response, New York State Assemblymember Paula Kay held a public meeting on February 27 at the Sullivan County Government Center, where NYSEG representatives tried to explain the increase.

Despite the company’s efforts to clarify the reasons behind the surge in costs, many residents left the meeting feeling unheard and unsatisfied.

NYSEG, a subsidiary of the Spanish energy company Avangrid, pointed to rising supply costs and extreme cold temperatures as the main reasons for the higher bills.

“We are having what we call a community connection event,” said Shelby Cohen, Director of Communications for NYSEG. “It’s a chance for customers to meet with our customer service reps and advocates to delve into their bill and understand what’s causing the increase — whether it’s their usage, supply price, or another factor.”

Cohen said that NYSEG does not profit from supply costs, likening it to fluctuating gas prices. She also highlighted various assistance programs, including budget billing options and payment arrangements, to help ease the burden for struggling customers.

Patricia Nilsen, NYSEG President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We’re really glad that [customers] came because there’s nothing better than being able to help our customers figure out what’s going on with their energy use and with supply price.” She understands the frustration from customers and reiterated that NYSEG’s delivery prices have stayed the same, while supply prices—determined by the open market—have risen. “We don’t make any profit on that price, but we have to pass it on,” Nilsen said.

Despite these explanations, many residents were not satisfied with the responses they received.

Sean Williams of Hurleyville shared his frustration, saying, “My bill is way too high—over double what I usually pay. I didn’t really get the answers I was looking for. All they told me was that the rates went up.”

Others, like Amber Cole of Monticello, were shocked by the drastic increase in their monthly charges. “My bill went from $60 to $420,” she said. “I live in senior apartments. I haven’t done anything differently. It’s been a little colder, but not that much colder.”

For some, the situation has reached a breaking point. “I really feel like they’re trying to kick me out of my own home,” said Williams.

Next Steps

Assemblymember Kay acknowledged the overwhelming concerns and hinted at the possibility of involving the state’s Public Service Commission.

“I never want to see someone choosing between paying rent, buying food, or keeping their lights on,” she said. “NYSEG brought their top executives and customer service team here today, which shows they know how serious this is. But if people still can’t afford their bills, maybe the PSC needs to take another look at these rate hikes.”

Many customers believe the issue goes beyond NYSEG. Kathy Iannuso of Neversink, who helps run Lighthouse Ministries, expressed concern over NYSEG’s foreign ownership. “We’re really upset that Spain owns the company that provides our electricity. It should be American,” she said.

For now, NYSEG representatives urged customers to explore their billing options and reach out for assistance.