County Legislature Demands Independent Audit For NYSEG & National Grid Over Billing Practices

After continued complaints by residents and businesses within the county, the legislature is now demanding an independent audit regarding billing practices by the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and National Grid.

The move demanding an independent audit comes from customers of both utility providers receiving inaccurate bills, sudden rake spikes, delayed or estimated meter readings, and an overall lack of transparency by NYSEG and National Grid’s billing practices.

In the resolution calling for the audit, the county says “these billing issues have caused financial hardship for many residents and businesses in Cortland County, raising concerns about fairness, accountability, and proper regulatory oversight.”

The county says the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) along with other regulatory agencies in the state, have an obligation to ensure utility providers operate with transparency and in the best interests of their customers.

The best way to provide transparency would be through an independent audit on both companies with specifics on accuracy of billing procedures, effectiveness of customer service response, and compliance with state regulations.

Cortland County is just one of numerous counties within the state to call for increased scrutiny and oversight of both NYSEG and National Grid.

The County Legislature voted unanimously to request the PSC, State Attorney Generals Office and the State Comptroller’s Office to conduct an independent audit of NYSEG and National Grid’s billing practices to determine the extent of errors, inconsistencies, and potential overcharges. Neighboring counties of Broome and Tompkins have made similar demands for an audit.