Rep. Ritchie Torres Releases New Report:An Analysis of Hochul Rate Hikes in New York City

Today, the Office of Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) released a new report entitled: “An Analysis of Hochul Rate Hikes in New York City.” The report demonstrates the disastrous impact that utility rate hikes have inflicted on working-class New Yorkers.

The preface to the report reads:

“Governor Kathy Hochul has been holding press conferences, posting videos, and issuing press releases assuring the public that she feels the pain of New Yorkers struggling with the crushing cost of utilities. Left unmentioned in all grandstanding is the Governor’s role in inflicting the pain. The Public Service Commission (PSC), which has approved massive rate hikes far beyond the rate of inflation, is a creature of the Governor. The Public Service Commissioners are accountable to the Governor who appoints them, their independence existing more in theory than in practice. 

“Despite the recent rhetoric about consumer advocacy, the Governor has long been vetoing legislation that would establish a utility consumer advocate, which she has falsely described as ‘duplicative.’ Unlike the Utility Intervention Unit (UIU)—which has limited utility despite its name—a truly empowered utility consumer advocate would have the authority to issue subpoenas, conduct investigations, and initiate litigation. An effective consumer advocate needs all of these authorities yet UIU has none of them.

“Even though the Governor claims to be on the side of utility consumers, the rate hikes crushing New Yorkers tell a different story.

“The following report does not cover every Hochul rate hike in New York State—the list is too long. Instead, it shines a harsh spotlight on counties that have seen double-digit rate increases in the span of a single year. The impact of Hochul rate hikes in making New York unaffordable cannot be overstated.”

The full report here.