Riley Demands Answers From NYSEG Over Billing Error That Could Leave Upstate Customers With Extra Charges

Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) wants answers from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) regarding a billing error that used incorrect temperature data in certain calculations and could leave some Upstate customers facing additional charges.

Riley filed a motion to compel NYSEG to fully respond to questions about the error as part of the utility’s ongoing rate case before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC).

He seeks information about how many customers were affected, when and how NYSEG learned of the problem, how much customers were overcharged or undercharged, how much the resulting adjustments will cost ratepayers and why NYSEG believes it is permitted to place new charges on customers’ bills because of the company’s own mistake.

“At the same time that NYSEG is asking the PSC for permission to raise its rates by hundreds of millions of dollars, it also has been committing billing errors that are seriously impacting my constituents’ ability to manage their household finances,” Riley said.

Riley argued that the billing issue is particularly relevant as the PSC considers NYSEG’s request for a major rate increase. He also criticized the utility for refusing to provide what he characterized as basic information about the scope and impact of the billing errors.

“The law prohibits NYSEG from putting ‘unjust or unreasonable charge[s]’ on customers’ bills,” Riley said. “How are we to know if the charges NYSEG put on customers’ bills are ‘just and reasonable’ if NYSEG won’t provide basic information about the scope and size of those errors, why those errors occurred, how NYSEG learned about them, and what NYSEG did about it?”

NYSEG has acknowledged that incorrect temperature data affected certain billing calculations between Feb. 19 and April 11, 2026. However, the company has not disclosed how many ratepayers were affected, how many will receive additional charges or the total amount of those charges.

Riley’s motion also raises questions about when NYSEG became aware of the problem and whether the company identified the errors internally or only after they were brought to its attention by the press.

In its response to Riley’s motion, NYSEG argued that the billing issue “has been resolved” and continued to oppose providing the information requested by the congressman.

Riley, however, said the resolution of the underlying billing problem does not eliminate the need for answers about its impact on customers.

“Making already uncertain utility bills even more unpredictable can be a significant hardship, not a mere ‘inconvenience’ for families making tough decisions to balance their household budgets,” Riley said.

Riley contends that the company’s handling of the billing error and its refusal to provide detailed information should be considered by regulators when determining whether and to what extent the requested rate increase should be approved.