Survey results show that New York residents are concerned about home energy rates increasing and they do not believe elected officials are doing enough to help residents impacted by rising costs.

Moreover, most New York residents do not believe the interests of residential customers are sufficiently represented and taken into consideration when rate increases are proposed for electricity and gas.  As such, the majority of respondents say they would support a law to create an independent consumer advocate office to represent and protect residential customers when utility companies request a rate increase before the New York State Public Service Commission.

Siena College Research Institute conducted interviews on behalf of AARP through a telephone omnibus survey of 813 New York State residents age 18 and older.  Interviews were conducted between April 2 and April 10, 2013.  The data was weighted to reflect the 18 and older population in New York. For more information, contact Kate Bridges at 202-434-6329.