SOME utility changes in a prominent US state could mean higher monthly payments for millions of Americans.
Energy bills are already the highest they’ve been in 12 years on average in 2025, and decreases are nowhere in sight.
GettySome Americans could see considerable utility bill price hikes soon (stock image)[/caption]At least, that’s certainly the case for New Yorkers living Upstate, according to Relator.com.
Two major utility companies in the state are pushing to hike rates over the next three years.
National Grid specifically made a request to the Public Service Commission that gas and electric rates for customers be raised through April 2027.
Should it be approved, the monthly increase is estimated to be about an additional $22 starting in the spring of 2026.
By the end of 2027, it would be about a $600 total annual increase, per Syracuse.com.
The second utility company seeking price bumps is the New York State Electric and Gas Company (NYSEG).
It would account for a $34 monthly gas bill uptick on average, plus another $33 for electricity costs, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS OUT
There is some hope for Upstate New York customers, however, as the 20% increase from National Grid was blasted by Governor Kathy Hochul while speaking with Syracuse.com.
“It’s not OK with me,” Hochul said, adding that National Grid “can’t be passing that on to ratepayers.”
“They have to spread it out. They have to find ways to diversify. They have to find ways to economize and cut their costs.”
The prospective increases in New York also come as utility costs nationwide are outpacing inflation by almost double, and the average monthly price of electricity between June and September is $784, according to a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA).
That’s a 6.2% hike from 2024, or about 4.3% considering inflation.
While New York’s average is a bit lower at $747, it’s important to note that these energy costs and potential upticks hit low-income households the worst.
Electricity bills alone account for about 8.6% of their income, about three times the rate for Americans in other brackets.
Summer Protections by State
In 2025, just 17 states and Washington DC offer Americans protections from having their electricity shut off if they are behind on utility payments:
Arizona Arkansas Colorado Delaware Washington DC Georgia Illinois Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nevada Oklahoma Oregon Texas Washington WisconsinSource: NEADA
DEBT DEBACLE
Many are starting to become unable to pay them, going into utility debt as prices continue to spike.
Data from the Census Household Pulse showed that between April 2023 and 2024, American households that couldn’t afford payments went from 34.6% to 36.8%.
As of March of this year, about $24 billion is owed in utilities.
NEADA also estimates that around 21.2 million households, one in every six, are at least behind on energy bills.
In New York, National Grid’s rate prospective $600 annual increase and NYSEG’s would then be detrimental to some.
It could even hurt small businesses, who would have to pass on the costs to consumers to meet their margins and also not lose business in the process — a tall task.
Experts advise that customers take action by auditing their home energy use and seeing where they can make repairs, replace outdated appliances for efficiency, add insulation, or more.
There’s even a thermostat trick that could help save 30% on energy bills every year.
A “weather strip” trick that works in any season can also add up to $83 in savings.
Hence then, the article about millions of americans hit after two utility giants unleash price change up to 600 in us state was published today ( ) and is available on The U.S. Sun ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Millions of Americans hit after two utility giants unleash price change up to $600 in US state )
Also on site :