Recently, New York State Senator Peter Oberacker, 51st Senate District, announced his proposal of the New York State Ratepayer Bill of Rights, to present in the upcoming legislative session. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Recently, New York State Senator Peter Oberacker, 51st Senate District, announced his proposal of the New York State Ratepayer Bill of Rights, to present in the upcoming legislative session.

Oberacker said this plan comes at a crucial time, as New York ratepayers are combatting rising costs, unreliable service, and have growing concerns over corporate influence and foreign ownership of utility companies.

“Over the last year, I have heard from hundreds of constituents telling horror stories of their experiences with utility companies,” he said. “Families in my district have been hit with $3,000 bills and unauthorized withdrawals of nearly $1,000 without warning.”

In May, the audit report for New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) offered 128 suggestions to improve company procedures yet a few months later, NYSEG requested a 35 % increase to their annual electric delivery revenues, equaling about $464.4 million.

Oberacker explained the Utility Ratepayer Bill of Rights proposal will restore balance by putting the power back where it belongs, in the hands of the ratepayers, not boardrooms of corporate utilities or their overseas parent companies.

The key protections in the Ratepayer Bill of Rights include:

Mandatory public hearings and independent review before any rate increases.

Full transparency on billing formulas, rate structures, and executive compensation.

Strict penalties for over billing, poor communication, or service failure.

Automatic bill credits for extended power outages.

A permanent ban on political contributions from regulated utility companies to elected officials or oversight committees.

Creation of a Utility Consumer Advocate Office to support customer interests.

Financial safeguards to prevent shut-offs during extreme weather or hardship.

Public access to infrastructure safety reviews, including grid reliability and battery storage.

A requirement that utilities maintain and modernize the power grid with independent audits.

Empowering local governments and communities to have a voice in utility project siting and expansions.

“For too long, utility companies have operated in a system that favors profits over people,” said Oberacker, pointing to the plan that will hold utility companies accountable and guarantee protection to every New Yorker.

He noted the time has come for New Yorkers to be treated as the ones who are footing the bill, not treated like the bottom line and is calling for broad bipartisan support to restore trust, fairness, and transparency in how utilities serve New York’s homes and businesses.

Visit Oberacker’s website peterforsenate51.com for more information on future plans for Upstate New York.