Millions of New Yorkers could receive up to $500 in refunds on rising gas and electric bills under a measure proposed by Assembly Democrats.
Households with incomes under $150,000 would get a rebate check for $500 while those earning between $150,000 and $300,000 would receive $300. In all, about 5.4 million New Yorkers would be eligible for rebates totaling $2.6 billion under the Assembly’s POWER (“Protect Our Wallets Energy Rebate Checks”) program.
Also included in the Assembly’s 2026-27 budget introduced on Tuesday, March 10, is a two-year moratorium on gas and electric rate increases at a time when over 1 million New Yorkers are behind at least two months on their bills, an overdue balance of around $2 billion.
Over 400,000 households had their gas or electric service shut off in 2025, exceeding totals from the Great Recession years between 2008 and 2010.
“From rebate checks for ratepayers, a pause on utility assessments, and a freeze on utility rate increases, we are committed to helping lower costs and make New York State more affordable for our families,” said Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, who chairs the Energy Committee.
Proposed relief in monthly energy bills in NY
Another $163.3 million in ratepayer relief would come from shifting to the state’s general fund an assessment ratepayers currently cover in their monthly utility bills. From that, $134 million would go to the state Department of Public Service and nearly $28 million to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Democrats also want to spend $2.1 million to create a state office for the Utility Consumer Advocate, a proposal advanced by consumer advocacy groups. A blue-ribbon commission would study the causes and origins of rising rates and recommend reductions.
Senate Democrats and Republicans have already weighed in with their own wish-list of utility reforms.
Republican proposals for curbing surging utility costs
The Republicans want to return surplus or unspent funds from NYSERDA to taxpayers in a bill credit, an attempt to curb what the GOP views as excessive climate-related spending on green energy programs.
And Assembly Republicans have their own rebate proposal, which would deliver ratepayers checks of up to $400 depending on their income level.
They also want legislative approval of rate increases, a move that would limit the power of state regulators to approve utility rate hike requests.
Democrats want the state Public Service Commission to return to ratepayers any revenue gas and electric utilities receive above their approved return on equity.
And state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, a Hudson Valley Democrat, has introduced a measure that would prevent employees of a utility regulated by the PSC from serving as a PSC commissioner for two years after their employment.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA TODAY Network’s New York State team. He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New $500 utility bill rebate for New Yorkers proposed. What to know
Reporting by Thomas C. Zambito, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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