NY Governor, Rival Clash Over Utility Bill Relief

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that 2.5 million more New Yorkers are now eligible for utility bill discounts of up to $500 annually through the state's expanded Energy Affordability Program. The announcement came amid a political clash with gubernatorial rival Bruce Blakeman, who criticized the savings as insufficient.

Hochul promoted the expansion at a Lower East Side community center, stating that half of all households in New York are now eligible for assistance. "Before this, this program was only limited to people at the lowest incomes, which is important, we take care of that," she said. "But I knew we could do more."

Blakeman, the Republican executive for Nassau County, countered at a separate news conference in Howard Beach, calling the expanded program an "election-year scam" and pledging to cut utility bills in half if elected. "Our utility rates are 70% higher – 70% higher! – than the national average and what is she giving us? Peanuts!" he stated.

Utility costs have become a significant issue in the gubernatorial race, with New Yorkers experiencing steadily rising gas and electricity bills. Data indicates that a typical Con Edison bill for a single-family home consuming approximately 600 kilowatts per month increased from about $160 when Hochul took office in 2021 to nearly $219 in 2025. Similarly, bills for New York State Electric and Gas customers rose from $80 in 2021 to $147 last year for comparable usage.

New York's residential electricity costs are now the third-highest in the nation, behind Hawaii and California. Hochul's administration had previously announced up to $200 rebate checks for 8.2 million eligible households as another measure to address utility costs.

The Energy Affordability Program, which provides a monthly discount on utility bills, already had 1 million households enrolled before the expansion. Hochul's initiative aims to add another 2.5 million eligible households.

Blakeman argued that he could reduce utility rates by rolling back the state's green energy initiatives. "I can cut your utility bills in half," he asserted, contrasting it with the governor's proposed rebates.

John Howard, former member and chair of the state Public Service Commission, commented that the discounts provided by the Energy Affordability Program are funded by other utility ratepayers, not directly from the state budget. "The discounts are part of the utility rates," Howard said, adding that while he supports the program, the funding source should ideally be the state budget rather than "hidden fees and taxes on utility bills."