Electric Rates Going Up Across New York State

The cost of living has been going up all across the nation over the last few years. It seems like every time you turn around, the cost of something has gone up again.

Whether it's rent, food, clothing, gasoline, and entertainment, it's becoming more expensive to just get by with the everyday items we need for life.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, an announcement from the New York State Public Service Commission has people all over the Empire State outraged.

National Grid Raising Electricity Rates In New York State

In May 2024, National Grid, an international utility company that provides electric and gas service in multiple areas in New York State, requested permission to increase the rates it charges for electric service in the Empire State.

According to documents released by the Public Service Commission, the state governmental agency that regulates utility services, had requested to increase its base service delivery rates by 25.5% and its electric and gas delivery charges by 29.7% this year. After a year of debate and hearings, the Commission agreed to allow National Grid to increase rates, but by only 20% which will be phased in over a three-year period.

READ MORE: National Grid Is Installing Smart Meters In Western New York

That rate increase, when fully phased in, will bring in more than $1 billion in new revenue for the utility. The average New York State resident will see their electric bill increase approximately $22 per month, and the new rates will be in effect as soon as the September 2025 bills.

New Yorkers had already been feeling the pinch in their wallets thanks to tariff-related energy cost increases; now things will cost even more.

What do you think about this rate increase? Is it necessary for the utility to survive, or is it a money grab by the utility?