It's true. National Grid has proposed a 20% rate increase for customers who use electric and natural gas in Upstate New York. In all, its estimated cost to the average homeowner is about an additional $440 per year. The last of a series of public hearings will be held this week, and customers have a chance to voice their opinion.

The proposed increase was filed back in May when National Grid asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) for a 20% increase increasing revenues by $525 million. We're now reaching the final opportunities for the public to speak up. This week there will be two public hearings- one in Buffalo on Tuesday, September 24, and another virtual hearing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25.

Click here for details on how you can watch Wednesday's virtual public hearing.

New York already ranks as the 9th most expensive state for electric rates. This, despite the fact that New York's rates in 2024 are about 1% lower than in 2023.

A virtual public statement hearing will be held as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 
TIME: 1:00 p.m. 

Register in advance
Or join on the day of hearing:
Event Number: 161 799 6102
Password: Sept25-1pm
Visit www.webex.com, click “Join a Meeting” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and enter the event number.

Phone Access: 518-549-0500
Access Code: 161 799 6102
Phone-in Password: 73782501

According to National Grid, it's proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective April 1, 2025. More specifically, National Grid seeks to increase its electric delivery revenues by approximately $525 million (20% increase in base delivery revenues or an 11% increase in total revenues) and its gas delivery revenues by approximately $148 million (28% increase in base delivery revenues or a 15% increase in total revenues). These increases would result in total monthly bill increases for the average residential customer of approximately $18.92 (15%) for electric and $18.34 for gas (20%). The Company states that it is focused on three priorities for these rate filings: (1) continuing to meet its core obligation to deliver safe, reliable energy service to its more than two million customers; (2) enabling customers to affordably meet their energy needs while improving customer service; and (3) supporting the clean energy transition and advancing the goals of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

11 of New York's Most Wanted Criminals with Upstate Connections

Below are individuals with ties to the Capital Region and Upstate New York. They have been designated as some of New York's Most Wanted Fugitives and should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli

13 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- September 2024

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 9/01/2024:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler