Upstate United Responds to Calls to Overhaul the Public Service Commission

March 27th, 2025

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United

“Recent calls by members of the Legislature to overhaul the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) are misplaced and misguided. Whether it’s the initiatives being implemented to achieve the aggressive goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) or other pieces of legislation that pass costs down to ratepayers by way of state mandates, policymakers should recognize the role they have played in the outcomes impacting their constituents.

“There are many factors that lead to rate increases and the decisions made by the PSC.  One thing that lawmakers could do is address the lack of cost analysis since the CLCPA was passed in 2019. The one year which was analyzed (2022) by the Department of Public Service revealed double digit increases because of the CLCPA. Moreover, supply costs have also gone up as demand has increased, something neither the PSC nor the utilities have control over.  

“While it may be politically convenient to obscure, what utility customers need is a better explanation of the factors driving up utility bills. New Yorkers deserve transparency not finger pointing.”