Positive News For Some New York Utility Customers

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New York utility regulators have approved new electricity and natural gas delivery rates for National Grid.

The Public Service Commission says the company will be allowed to collect a total of $123 million more electric revenue and almost $9 million more gas revenue over three years.

The PSC says customers may expect to see a 6.6 percent cut in electric delivery bills in the first year, followed by increases of 3.3 percent and 2.1 percent. It says a typical residential gas customer would see a drop of 4 percent the first year and then increases of 3.9 percent and 2.9 percent.

National Grid spokesperson Patrick Stella notes that during the coming three years, customers should expect to see "very little change" in their utility bills.

New York regulators also ordered a Florida company that provides energy services to stop what it says are deceptive marketing and account transfer practices or face being barred from operating in the state.

The PSC says Fort Lauderdale-based Liberty Power was the subject of 186 customer complaints last year,most involving claims Liberty sales people misrepresented themselves, misled customers and enrolled some without being authorized. Company officials agreed to immediately address the PSC's concerns.