PLATTSBURGH — The New York Power Authority is set to increase its rates supplied to municipal utilities April 1, and the City of Plattsburgh is preparing to be affected by it.
“The City of Plattsburgh has long benefited from some of the lowest electric rates in New York due to our access to clean hydropower,” Mayor Wendell Hughes said. “However, NYPA’s approved rate increases will have a direct impact on our municipal electric system and, ultimately, on our residents and businesses.”
A much larger increase was averted last year when Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped the proposed rate increase.
The increase came about when the debt service increased to over $25 million and recently topped $51 million. As part of the agreement, this debt has been forgiven, the city said.
NYPA recently approved a phased increase in its “preference power” rates, which supply public power systems like Plattsburgh’s. The increases are scheduled to begin this year and continue gradually over six years, the city said.
“We understand that any increase in utility costs places added pressure on families, especially at a time when affordability remains a top concern across the North Country,” Hughes said.
LAWSUIT
However, according to North Country Now, a lawsuit filed recently may stop NYPA’s rate hike.
Plaintiffs John Lemondes, William Brennan and Lawrence Sloane assert the rate hike is “in fact illegal and violates a previous ruling by Judge John Tenney that occurred 40 years ago,” North Country Now stated. Lemondes is an assemblymember representing New York’s 126th Assembly District.
The full article can be found at northcountrynow.com/stories/nypa-rate-hike-faces-legal-challenge,359713.
RISING ENERGY COSTS
In the meantime, local and regional officials have been warning that rising energy costs are a major issue for residents, with affordability cited as a key concern in recent public forums.
The mayor emphasized that the city will work to minimize impacts where possible.
“Our Municipal Lighting Department will carefully evaluate how these changes affect our rates and will continue to prioritize reliability, transparency and cost control,” he said.
“We are committed to keeping Plattsburgh’s electric service among the most affordable in the state.”
The city also plans to monitor NYPA rate adjustments and long-term impacts, advocate for policies that protect municipal power customers and provide updates to residents as more information becomes available.
“We will continue to advocate at the state level to ensure that Plattsburgh will not be disproportionately impacted by rising energy costs, but this deal does solidify our Preferential Hydropower until 2040 and ensures clarity and limits for future rate increases,” Hughes said
The mayor told the Press-Republican recently he has been trying to get the word out about services residents who are struggling to pay their electric bills can utilize.
“You need to go to number one, DSS (Department of Social Services) … two, you can always go to United Way. United Way is always a great start,” Hughes said.
“St. (Joseph’s) is really good, (as well). Catholic Charities is another one. There’s a bunch of great folks out there to help.”