Resolution for electric delivery charges review

March 19th, 2026

TOWN OF MARCELLUS
TOWN BOARD RESOLUTION
March 18, 2026
 
A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF
ELECTRIC DELIVERY CHARGES, DEMANDING IMPROVED COST
CONTROLS AND TRANSPARENCY, AND AUTHORIZING FORMAL
COMPLAINTS TO THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGARDING THE ESCALATING COST OF ELECTRICITY
 

      Councilor Pollard, made the following motion, which was seconded by Supervisor Attley, the following Resolution was put before the Town Board of the Town of Marcellus for its consideration:

      WHEREAS, residents, seniors, and small businesses in the Town of Marcellus are experiencing unsustainable, repeated, and compounding increases in electric bills that are placing a growing financial strain on households and the local economy; and

      WHEREAS, a substantial portion of these increases are not attributable to increased energy consumption, but to escalating delivery charges, fees, and approved rate adjustments imposed by the utility companies; and

      WHEREAS, electric delivery charges and rate structures are regulated and approved by the New York State Public Service Commission, which is statutorily charged with ensuring that utility rates are just, reasonable, and affordable for ratepayers; and

      WHEREAS, the Town Board has received complaints from residents who are struggling to afford basic electric service and who have expressed serious concern regarding the frequency, magnitude, and lack of transparency surrounding recent and ongoing rate increases; and

      WHEREAS, rural and low-density communities such as the Town of Marcellus are disproportionately impacted by delivery charge increases and cost-recovery mechanisms that fail to adequately account for affordability, equity, and the cumulative burden placed on ratepayers; and

      WHEREAS, the Town Board finds that continued approval of rate increases without stronger cost controls, greater transparency, and meaningful affordability protections, is unacceptable and contrary to the public interest;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Marcellus formally and strongly urges the New York State Public Service Commission to conduct a thorough and immediate review of electric delivery charges, rate increases, and cost-recovery practices applicable to utility customers; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board calls upon the Public Service Commission to prioritize ratepayer affordability, demand greater transparency from the utility companies, and require demonstrable cost-containment and operational efficiency measures before approving any future rate increases; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board expressly opposes continued or automatic rate increases that shift rising operational, infrastructure, and administrative costs onto ratepayers without clear justification or adequate protection for rural communities; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to submit formal complaints, written comments, and supporting documentation to the New York State Public Service Commission on behalf of the Town and its residents, objecting to excessive electric costs and requesting regulatory intervention; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to the New York State Public Service Commission, the utility companies, the Governor of the State of New York, members of the New York State Legislature, and neighboring municipalities served by the utility companies, and to encourage coordinated action among affected towns; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call, the vote was as follows:

The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

DATED:        March 18, 2026