Enacts the citizens utility board act; appropriation

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

In January of 2026, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a rate increase for Con Edison customers, hiking electric rates by 9.8% and gas rates by 15.7% over a three-year period. This excessive rate increase will put increased financial burdens on New Yorkers who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to an AARP study, 1.3 million New Yorkers were more than two months behind on their utili- ty bills in 2024, and had over $1.8 billion in unpaid electric and gas bills. Now, as new AI data centers increase demand for power, consumers need a watchdog in the rate setting process that will fight to keep power bills low. The proposed legislation would establish a New York Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a nonprofit organization that would collectively represent utility customers before the PSC. Participating in a PSC rate case often requires filing legal requests, sponsoring expert witnesses, and taking part in settlement discussions. While a utility company can afford the lawyers and staff necessary to effectively participate in a rate case, an individual utility customer cannot. Establishing a CUB will level the playing field and ensure that the concerns of rate payers are properly represented before the PSC. After an initial state expenditure of one million dollars, New York's CUB would be funded by voluntary dues from utility customers and donations. The CUB would be governed by a board of directors that would be directly elected by dues paying members. In 1991, former Governor Mario Cuomo issued Executive Order 141, estab- lishing a Citizens Utility Board in New York. In 1995, former Governor George Pataki issued Executive Order 19, revoking Executive Order 141, effectively disbanding New York's CUB.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.