SULLIVAN COUNTY — A growing number of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) customers in Sullivan County and beyond are facing unexpectedly high electric bills this winter, with some reporting increases of several hundred dollars over previous months. Frustrated and searching for answers, these customers are organizing, reaching out to elected officials, and demanding accountability from the utility provider.

Tom O’Donohue of Rock Hill raised the alarm after receiving his January bill. “We just got the bill on the 24th of January for December to January, and it was $834,” he said. “That far exceeded our highest ever, which was $299.”

Like many others, O’Donohue couldn’t understand why his bill had suddenly tripled. “We’ve seen fluctuations before, maybe an increase of $50, but never anything like this,” he added. Concerned that others might be experiencing the same issue, he created a Facebook group called “My New York State Electric & Gas Bill Doubled” to connect with other customers facing similar increases.

NYSEG provided a statement to the Democrat saying that higher energy usage in winter months is expected. “During the winter season, customers can expect to see an increase in their utility bills due primarily to an increase in energy usage when heating their homes,” the statement reads.

Stories quickly began pouring in. O’Donohue’s son, who lives alone and typically pays around $100 per month, was hit with a bill of more than $700. Another customer who only stays at their home seasonally saw their usual $20 delivery charge skyrocket to $170, despite using virtually no power. Some customers have reported increases so extreme that their bills have reached thousands of dollars.

Many customers in his Facebook group do not rely on electric heat and still saw massive spikes. Others suspect the recent installation of smart meters may be a factor, though O’Donohue himself opted out of the smart meter program and still experienced a massive increase.

Some customers are considering further action, including petitions to Governor Kathy Hochul and a potential class-action lawsuit. “If this continues, we’re going to have to do something,” O’Donohue said. “I’ve even heard of people saying they might sell and move because an $800 electric bill is just not sustainable.”

When O’Donohue reached out to NYSEG, he said the company dismissed his concerns. “They acted like we were the only people having this problem,” he said. “They told us to call an electrician and check our wiring. But my house is only two years old, and my son’s place is newer, too. There’s no way that’s the issue.”

Assemblymember Kay seeks answers

In response to the flood of complaints, Assemblymember Paula Kay recently met with NYSEG President and CEO Patricia Nilsen to press for answers and relief for customers.

“I’m receiving emails, phone calls, and messages everywhere I go,” Kay said. “People are stopping me at The Trading Post, at the Rock Hill Fire Department Breakfast—any way they can reach me. They are scared and frustrated by the dramatic change in their bills.”

Kay says she knows that some factors, such as colder winter temperatures and rate increases, could contribute to higher bills. However, she said that these reasons alone cannot justify the massive spikes many customers are experiencing. “All of that should not account for a tripling of a bill from one month to the next,” she added.

Kay said her office is reviewing individual bills and working with NYSEG representatives to make sure there is accurate billing. 

Furthermore, she has arranged for NYSEG to hold a morning and evening public pop-up meeting at the Sullivan County Government Center on February 27 to assist customers in understanding and resolving their billing issues. “We have to figure this out, bill by bill, person by person, and make sure people aren’t priced out of their homes,” Kay said.

NYSEG 

NYSEG encourages customers with concerns to reach out directly. “New York State Electric & Gas encourages customers who have questions about their bill to contact us immediately so we can explain the reasons their bills fluctuate throughout the year and find ways they can save on energy usage and costs.”

NYSEG also stated that customers could consider its assistance programs, including budget billing, payment plans, and HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), to help manage their bills.