The New York State Electric and Gas Company (NYSEG) is receiving heavy backlash from customers who are seeing an astronomical increase in their utility bills this January, Mid-Hudson News reported.
"My bill tripled in the past month and when you call them they are useless," Carmen Diaz said.
According to the utility company, a major driver behind the rising prices is that temperatures were predicted to be roughly 8% colder in December than last year, so it took more energy than before to keep homes at the usual temperature. But a second, undeniable factor is the skyrocketing cost of fossil fuels and energy in general, driven by the withdrawal of federal funding for clean energy, increased reliance on imported fuel, and increased energy use by AI data centers.
According to Mid-Hudson News, residents reported bills anywhere from two to 10 times higher than in past months. Gloria Maloney saw a single-month increase from $302 to $716. "We need help and NYSEG must be investigated," she said, per the publication. Loren Goldberg said past bills ranged from $60 to $120, while current rates have reached $600 per month. And according to Maloney, even greater hikes have been proposed for this year.
One way to avoid increasing bills like these is to install solar panels, which don't use external fuel and are much less vulnerable to fluctuating prices. They also help during outages when paired with battery storage. You have multiple options, so check out TCD's Solar Explorer to learn more and save up to $10,000.
NYSEG also encouraged homeowners to take advantage of programs that subsidize energy bills, such as the Home Energy Assistance Program and the Energy Assistance Program.
Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
Here are some resources to get you started on saving on your energy bills.
• EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD's Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
Get $1,000 cash to slash your bills with rooftop solar panels for $0 down and low monthly payments Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's advisors can help you save up to $10,000 on installation through a network of preferred installers. And if you'd rather get solar savings without upfront costs, Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach subscription program can deliver — including an exclusive $1,000 cashback offer for TCD readers. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings of up to 33% off your current power bill. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just book a short meeting with Palmetto's experts to explore your options and find the solution that's right for you. |
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$200 or more 💰 Solar panels can also work in tandem with other electric appliances, such as energy-efficient HVAC equipment, to further reduce your utility costs. The right equipment varies according to your home and budget, so visit TCD's HVAC Explorer to find the right setup for you and slash your energy bills up to 50%.
You can even get up to $5,000 in rewards to spend on home upgrades through the free Palmetto Home app.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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