Valley Stream, NY – In response to the New York State Public Service Commission approving rate increases for Liberty Water utility customers on Long Island, New York State Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages released the following statement:

"As a community, we successfully stopped Liberty Utilities from imposing a devastating 34% rate increase on our residents. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a more moderate three-year rate plan for Liberty Utilities Corp., affecting service areas that include the Town of Hempstead, Massapequa, Merrick, and the Village of Sea Cliff.

In service area 1, which primarily covers the Town of Hempstead, the new plan limits increases to 17% in the first year, 15% in the second, and 13% in the third – significantly lower than the original proposal. While this is a victory, our work is far from finished.

Liberty Water customers will still have hundreds of dollars added onto their bills over the next few years and will continue to pay considerably more than neighbors serviced by public water.

Now, we must press the South Nassau Water Authority to expedite their efforts toward a public takeover of Liberty Water. Our community deserves an affordable, reliable water service—not the current system where rates are dictated by a private company beholden to shareholders. A public takeover will ensure that critical infrastructure repairs are prioritized, while providing residents with water that is both affordable and dependable.

We will continue fighting for a long-term solution that puts our community’s needs first. The time for action is now."