A recent rate hike for a local power company isn’t going over well with some area lawmakers. Orange County State Senator James Skoufis of the 42nd District is particularly disturbed that the Public Service Commission approved the increases, and he says he’s looking to advance legislation that would cap utility profits, reduce utility executives’ salaries, launch audits by an independent third-party, among other reforms. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says he recognizes the company’s costs are changing, however…
The PSC approved new three-year delivery rates for Orange & Rockland Utilities’ electric and natural gas services earlier this month. According to O&R, average monthly electric bills for residential customers using 600 kilowatt hours per month will go up 4.6 percent this year, 3.3 percent next year, and 3.5 percent in 2027. Average monthly total gas bills for the same customers using 100 cubic feet per month would increase by 10.9 percent this year, 3.5 percent next year, and 3.8 percent in 2027.