N.Y. electric consumers deserve advocate against rate hikes

Erin Mitchell

As one of the leaders of the state Senate, Binghamton’s Tom Libous is well-positioned to provide real help to Southern Tier residents on a fundamental pocketbook issue: utility rates.

A statewide AARP survey released this month shows voters 50 and older feel helpless about the seemingly endless increase in their utility bills — with New York’s average residential electric rates now highest in the continental United States.

The survey shows about seven of every 10 older New Yorkers don’t think they’re adequately represented when utility companies push for rate hikes — or that their elected officials are doing enough to keep utility costs from spiraling ever upward.

http://www.stargazette.com/article/20140618/VIEWPOINTS02/306180007/Guest-Viewpoint-N-Y-electric-consumers-deserve-advocate-against-rate-hikes