Today Governor Hochul vetoed A.2468/S.6277 that would have created the State Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA), whose sole function would be to represent residential utility consumers' interests in residential utility matters at the state and federal level. Passed overwhelmingly in both the Assembly and the Senate, the legislation would have helped ratepayers at a time when many of them are facing an affordability crisis.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s veto of this legislation:

Assemblyman Dinowitz (D - Bronx) said: “I’m very disappointed that the Governor vetoed legislation which would have created the Utility Consumer Advocate.This was a golden opportunity to help residential rate payers during this affordability crisis.This legislation would not be breaking new ground. Over forty states, in one form or another, have an independent UCA, saving billions of dollars. While utility companies ask for and continue to receive increased rate hikes, ratepayers will continue to be without an entity dedicated solely to fighting for them.”

Con Edison recently reported third quarter earnings of $688 million, $100 million than their 2025 third quarter. As many New Yorkers continue to struggle to make ends meet, Con Edison and other utility companies have requested a rate increase from the Public Service Commission (PSC) while profiting billions of dollars. While Con Edison still awaits approval for their rate increase request, Central Hudson Gas & Electric and National Grid have already received approval for rate increases that will cost the average customer of each service facing energy bills $13 and $22 more a month respectively in the first year.

Vested with the power to initiate, intervene, and participate on behalf of residential utility consumers in any proceedings before the PSC and other regulatory bodies, the UCA would have been a truly independent body. The UCA could not have been removed for exercising independent judgment in advocating positions on behalf of residential utility customer. Although the Department of Public Service provides a platform for consumers to raise issues related to utility service represent consumer interests, their role is to focus on the whole system, which requires them to also represent the interests of utility companies. The UCA would have been focused solely on the interest of ratepayers, insulated from the political preferences of utility companies.