Ortt, Hawley blast proposed NYPA rate hikes

Posted 4 February 2025 at 5:15 pm

Press Release, State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senior members of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) held a public forum in Albany today to discuss raising the preference power rate in a series of rate hikes over the next four years.

NYPA says the increases are necessary to keep up with increased maintenance and operations costs. The proposed rate hikes would take effect as follows:

  • $17.61 for 2025
  • $21.66 for 2026
  • $26.72 for 2027
  • $33.05 for 2028

Municipalities, school districts, businesses and nonprofits across New York State benefit from NYPA’s current preference power rate of $12.88 per megawatt hour. These additional costs will not be absorbed by affected organizations – but passed on to consumers and residents in the form of increased product costs and taxes.

“New York is one of the worst states to operate a business in, and manufacturers in Western New York have been struggling to make ends meet. Many of the operations in my district rely on low cost power so that they are able to remain viable, and the proposed tripling of these rates are unwanted and absurd. This will surely lead to even more businesses closing their doors and leaving our state,” said Senator Rob Ortt. “Instead of sweeping millions of dollars every year into New York state’s general fund, NYPA should have been reinvesting the profits generated back into the power project. Thanks to NYPA’s mismanagement, they are now turning to the community to cover the cost of these infrastructure upgrades.”

“Across Western New York, working families rely on low-cost hydropower for their day-to-day activities. These proposed rate increases by the New York Power Authority will only intensify the burden on residents and deepen the affordability crisis across the region. I am calling on NYPA to reject these increases and return to a model that puts consumers and affordability first,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

A public comment period is currently open and will end on February 24th. Comments can be submitted to secretaryoffice@nypa.gov. Senator Ortt will be submitting public comments on behalf of ratepayers in his district.

A final vote is scheduled to take place during a July 2025 meeting.