AARP: $250M Overcharges to Utility Consumers Shows Need for Watchdog

Association Calls on Senate Majority Coalition Leader Skelos & His Conference to Back Independent Utility Consumer Advocate

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AARP New York

Jun 16, 2014, 02:48 ET

NEW YORK, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement from Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State:

"The fact that New York's utility consumers may have been overcharged by up to $250 million over the last five years is disturbing but not surprising, since New York remains one of the few states - and by far the largest - to deny its utility consumers a meaningful and independent voice.

"New Yorkers already pay the highest average residential electric rates in the continental United States. Forty other states with independent utility consumer advocates save their consumers billions of dollars a year. Governor Cuomo's own Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response said New York should get on board (pgs 44-46).

"It's time to change the game and give our consumers a fighting chance, especially since well-funded utilities use their own customers' money to push for rate hikes. AARP calls on Senate Co-Leader Skelos and his conference to agree to a full Senate vote before this week's end of the 2014 state legislative session on a bi-partisan bill (S4550B) that would make New York the 41^st state with an independent utility consumer advocate."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York