Hudson Valley Families Demand Utility Relief Following Summer of Skyrocketing Bills

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — This summer, energy costs hit an all-time high, with prices up 10% since 2025. New Yorkers are paying $190 more for electricity, the third-highest residential rate in the country. And to cope with the increasingly high utility bills, families are being left to take out loans to make ends meet.

The Republican Tax Law is raising energy costs by increasing taxes on clean energy and withdrawing federal clean energy investment support for households and businesses. The ongoing war in Iran is also contributing to rising diesel prices, which will raise utility costs. And just last week, the House passed a resolution to end the war. Congressman Mike Lawler supported the Republican Tax Law and voted in favor of continuing the war. 

“My energy bills have gone up 22% over the last year, and I expect it will only get worse this winter,” said Joe, a Veteran from Pawling. “Families in the Hudson Valley can’t afford to spend an additional $200 a month on heating and cooling their homes – that’s ridiculous. We need our elected officials to work together to get us some relief, and take commonsense steps toward lowering bills in the future.”

For many families facing some of the highest utility bills ever, turning on the AC this summer meant choosing between fueling the car and putting food on the table. And experts only expect high energy costs to get worse during winter.  

To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org. 

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Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org