Retirees can’t afford NY’s rising utility bills (Guest Opinion by Tom Tatun)

Tom Tatun is executive director of the Retired Public Employees Association. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Troy, represents the interests of nearly 500,000 retirees and beneficiaries from New York state and local governments, school districts, and public authorities. The Central New York Chapter serves Cayuga, Northern Cortland, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved a plan that will raise household utility bills by an average of $22 a month over the next several years. By 2027, electricity rates will climb 28% and gas rates will rise 36%. For retirees and others living on fixed incomes, this decision is more than just numbers on a page; it is a financial hardship with real consequences.

The Retired Public Employees Associat