Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara introduced new legislation to impose a moratorium on gas and electric rate increases. The measure would prevent companies that received an approved rate plan from the NYS Public Service Commission in 2021 from increasing prices for the next four years and for two years for all other companies.

“As families are still recovering from increased heating expenses this past winter, rising home utility costs are a top concern that must be addressed,”said Assemblyman Santabarbara.This legislation will prevent companies from increasing utility prices on households duringthis period of economic recovery.”

Over this past winter, New Yorkers experienced an enormous increase in their gas and electric costs. In December 2021, it was estimated nearly a million customers in the state owe arrears worth over $1.2 billion to utility companies, with the number of affected residents likely increasing since then. Furthermore, a recent survey conducted by the Siena College Research Institute found that home utility costs are a concern for 76% of all New Yorkers. This legislation would address this issue by instituting a price freeze on current gas and electric rates and placing a moratorium on rate increases.