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AARP Calling for Utility Watchdog in New York

aarp.org

Local members of AARP traveled to Albany Tuesday to lobby State Senators to pass a bill that would create an independent utility consumer advocate.

AARP Associate Director for Western New York, Bill Armbruster, says New York is one of ten state without one, yet New Yorkers pay the highest average utility rates in the continental United States.

Many people are still reeling after one of the longest, coldest winters in recent memory and a spike in utility bills, and a new AARP survey indicates most people are very concerned about their ability to pay their utility bills in the future.

Armbruster says an advocate would bring the consumers voice to the table when it comes to utility rate hike proposals.

Armbruster says the Assembly has passed legislation to create an independent utility consumer advocate office, but it hasn't passed in the Senate with just a few days left in this legislative session.