ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - RG&E and NYSEG are requesting rate increases for the delivery of electricity and natural gas. Both companies are part of AVANGRID, which is part of Iberdrola, the Spanish multinational utility company.
In a letter to the NYS Public Service Commission, the local utilities are asking for a 5.4% increase for RG&E electric customers, which would mean an average monthly increase of $2.86, and a 4% increase for RG&E natural gas customers, which works out to an average monthly increase of $1.56.
For NYSEG electricity customers, the utility is proposing a 23.7% increase, which would mean an average monthly hike of $10.17. Under the proposal, NYSEG natural gas customers would see a 1.9% increase, or about $1.05 more per month.
The utilities say that their request achieves an essential balance between the need for investments in electric and gas infrastructure with the important objecting of maintaining customer rates “that are affordable and among the lowest in New York.
A spokesman for the PSC, James Denn, said that the commission’s number one priority is ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable, reliable and clean energy services. He said the PSC “rigorously assesses proposed rates to ensure they are fair and reasonable,” and he says that the 11-month public review process will closely review this initial proposal.
Denn says that during the 11-month review period the commission will carefully scrutinize the companies’ rate filing and subject it to a rigorous investigative process with ample opportunity for public comment.