S3876

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday requiring energy service companies to display side-by-side price comparisons on customer bills, allowing consumers to easily see what they would pay with their local utility provider. Senate Print 3876, sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, passed 57-4 after debate centered on consumer protection versus government transparency. The bill amends the General Business Law to move existing price comparison data from the Public Service Commission website directly onto monthly ESCO billing statements. Supporters cited multiple Attorney General settlements totaling millions of dollars against ESCOs for deceptive practices and noted aggressive sales tactics targeting consumers. Sen. Harckham defended the state's climate policies, stating Chapter 10 details CLCPA implementation costs and that current high utility bills stem from rate cases and commodity pricing, not climate mandates. Opponents, led by Sen. Borrello and Sen. Walczyk, criticized the bill as a double standard, arguing the state should equally disclose the estimated $340 billion cost of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to consumers on their utility bills. An amendment by Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to require CLCPA cost disclosure was ruled nongermane by the presiding officer; an appeal of that ruling failed 22 in favor. The bill has passed the Assembly twice previously and is part of the Senate Majority Conference's affordability package.