Congressman Riley Launches Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus

New York Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) says he has launched a congressional lowering utility bill caucus to tackle the skyrocketing increases in utility bills. The group of lawmakers will look for legislative solutions on the energy affordability crisis. Riley says the caucus will convene members of the House of Representatives around oversight strategies and tools to hold utility providers accountable for their rate hikes.

“When I talk with folks across Upstate New York, the first question I ask is: what’s keeping you up at night and how can I help? And the most common answer is that utility bills are out of control and need to be reined in,” said Rep. Riley. “Too many working families are being put to an impossible choice of either keeping the lights on or paying for the mortgage or groceries. Meanwhile, the utility monopolies are making record profits while jacking up rates. It’s unacceptable. I’m launching the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to provide a forum for members of Congress to work together on legislation to take on the utility monopolies and lower their customers’ bills.”

Riley has introduced legislation to ban foreign companies from owning American utility providers. National Grid is based out of the United Kingdom while NYSEG is based in Spain. He has also called for a ban for executive bonuses for utility companies who raise rates.

The other lawmakers in the caucus include Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Mike Levin (CA-49), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Ami Bera (CA-06), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Seth Magaziner (RI-02).