“My office has heard from residents, business owners, and seniors who are already struggling to afford basic utility bills, and this decision makes their burden even heavier. I am very dissatisfied with the Public Service Commission’s approval of a rate increase for National Grid gas and electric customers. It is evident that a commission designed to ensure reliable access to energy is failing to prioritize the most essential element of that mission: affordability.

This increase, expected to raise household utility costs by over $600 annually, presents a real challenge for many in our communities. We must be mindful of the impact this will have on working families, older adults on fixed incomes, and small businesses trying to make ends meet.

These are the very people who fuel our local economy and deserve a thoughtful, balanced approach to energy planning.

As a lifelong advocate for the Mohawk Valley, I will continue working with my Upstate colleagues to ensure your voices are heard. I strongly urge all New Yorkers to weigh in on the Draft State Energy Plan at energyplan.ny.gov before the October 6 deadline as public input is critical.”