DPS Announces $16 Million Returned to New Yorkers From Regulated...
ALBANY — As a part of National Customer Service Week, the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) — the staff arm of the Public Service Commission — announced it has recovered more than $16 million in overcharges from regulated energy companies from January 2026 through August 2026 on behalf of commercial and residential customers. DPS also made new resources available to alert New York consumers to remain vigilant against the latest scams targeting consumer information and pocketbooks, through online ads promising energy savings and lower bills.
Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "The Commission and Department are proud of our track record resolving utility and ESCO complaints from consumers and ensuring market players don't overcharge customers through erroneous billing. Our dedicated customer service team keeps an eye out for consumers, making sure New Yorkers know their rights and are aware of predatory marketing practices from bad actors.”
National Consumer Protection Week this year runs from October 5-9, 2026. The Department of Public Service Office of Consumer Services vigorously monitors and resolves complaints received throughout the year against all Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and utilities operating in New York to ensure they fulfill their obligation to provide effective customer service in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations and policies.
The Department's Office of Consumer Services fielded more than 38,000 customer calls from January 2026 – August 2026 and held 180 events throughout New York State to help consumers understand their utility bills, consumer rights, and affordability options through the Energy Affordability Program and public hearings. Each month, the Department highlights its customer service efforts through a detailed overview of complaint activity that demonstrates the valuable services performed on behalf of consumers.
The Department's Office of Consumer Services also has a long history of proactively alerting utility consumers to scams that solicit money, personal information, or offer fake products. The Department has a new utility scams web page that features information on how they work and how consumers can protect themselves. One new scam uncovered recently includes solicitations and ads on social media falsely claiming that a “power saving device” will save consumers money on their electricity by stabilizing voltage, reducing unused electricity or providing surge protection. This, along with other scams, employs deceptive marketing practices that appear legitimate.
Today’s announcement supports the latest in Governor Hochul’s push to put more money in New Yorkers’ pockets and address the rising cost of utilities. In April 2026, Governor Hochul announced that the Public Service Commission directed $71 million to ESCO customers, with 278,000 current and former customers receiving billing adjustments and a guaranteed savings product offer.
In September 2026, Governor Hochul launched an enrollment drive for the State’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) that provides energy discounts designed to keep typical energy bills for electricity and natural gas to below six percent of household income, resulting in more than 38,000 households applying for discounts in just three weeks.
Last month, the Governor also announced that the Public Service Commission initiated a proceeding to implement several energy affordability initiatives she directed in this year’s budget, including an Energy Affordability Index. This Index will be used to evaluate energy affordability in New York State and if a utility’s Affordability Index exceeds a six percent target (three percent for electric and three percent for gas), the Commission may install an independent Affordability Monitor to provide additional scrutiny of utility operations and expenditures.
Throughout her time in office, Governor Hochul has targeted relief for energy ratepayers, including $1 billion in energy rebate checks to 8.2 million New Yorkers that started going out September 21 and will continue through December. This builds on Governor Hochul’s Energy Affordability Agenda that puts New York families ahead of big energy companies to help address rising utility rates. The Governor’s Ratepayer Protection Plan will stop disruptive price hikes before they take effect and require 14 months to examine utility company rate requests. Energy profits will be tied to a company’s ability to perform where it matters most: people’s wallets. Utilities will be prohibited from passing the costs of lobbying, glossy PR campaigns, political donations and luxury travel to New York ratepayers.
To file consumer complaints against a utility or to receive more consumer services information, click here or call the Department's helpline at 800-342-3377, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm. Consumers may also contact the Department in writing at the NYS Dept. of Public Service Office of Consumer Services, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350.
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