Oberacker wants investigation of utility companies
State Sen. Peter Oberacker on Wednesday called on the state Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee to launch a full-scale investigation into the practices of utility companies such as New York State Electric & Gas.
'Families in my district are being hit with $3,000 bills and unauthorized withdrawals of nearly $1,000 without warning,' Oberacker said in a news release. 'This isn't just bad billing — it's borderline criminal and we need answers.'
Oberacker cited the case of a constituent in Unadilla who, he said, received a $3,000 bill and another constituent whose monthly NYSEG auto-pay of $150 suddenly jumped to a $980 withdrawal with no notice.
Oberacker specifically questioned the link between the dramatic cost increases and the rollout of so-called 'smart meters' and pushed for reforms to increase transparency and accountability, the release stated.
Among Oberacker's proposed solutions were:
• A full investigation by the Senate Investigations Committee
• Mandatory, fully itemized utility bills showing supply, delivery, taxes and surcharges clearly
• Clear labeling of estimated bills and procedures for correction
• A ban on utility companies passing along lobbying and public relations costs to ratepayers
'New Yorkers aren't asking for favors. They're asking for fairness, honesty, and some basic accountability,' Oberacker said. 'Utility companies shouldn't be able to raid people's bank accounts or bury charges behind vague line items. We need to bring this abuse to light.'
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