In response to this year's NYS Budget, Retired Public Employees Association President RoAnn Destito said:…
RPEA Speaks Out Against National Grid Rate Increases
The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA), representing the interests of nearly 500,000 New York state and local government retirees, has been a strong voice opposing National Grid’s recent plan to raise gas and electric rates by nearly $1 billion over the next several years.
In August, the Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to approve the utility’s “joint proposal,” which will raise household utility bills by an average of about $22 per month. By 2027, electricity rates will climb 28 percent and gas rates will jump 36 percent.
Following the PSC’s vote, RPEA Executive Director Tom Tatun issued the following statement:
“The Public Service Commission’s approval of this rate increase will cause serious hardship for retirees across New York State. According to the State Comptroller, the average pension for public service retirees is just $28,000, with half receiving less than $30,000 and 70% under $40,000. These are New Yorkers living on fixed incomes, now facing the reality of choosing between keeping the lights on and paying for prescription medications. This decision disregards the needs of vulnerable New Yorkers and will push many further into financial difficulty.”
Press Release and Advocacy Efforts
Ahead of the PSC’s decision, RPEA urged the Commission to reject the proposal and instead adopt a fairer plan that protects vulnerable ratepayers. In a press release issued on August 13, RPEA warned that the proposal came at a time when households were already struggling. According to data National Grid submitted to the PSC, more than 225,000 customers—about 10 percent of households—were over two months behind on their bills, with total arrears exceeding $362 million.
“Retired public employees gave decades of service to their communities,” said Tatun. “They should not be forced to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for prescription medications.”
Public Education
To help members and the public better understand their rights and options, RPEA will host a free Public Utility Webinar with the Public Utility Law Project of New York (PULP) on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The session will cover how to read utility bills, understand consumer protections, and identify practical ways to reduce costs. Register for the webinar by clicking here.
Learn More
Watch news coverage featuring RPEA Executive Director Tom Tatun:
WTEN
CBS 6
WAMC – Dave Lucas