skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

EPA head says he'll roll back dozens of environmental regulations, including rules on climate change; Environmental groups sue over permit for West Virginia valley fills; Doubling down on care: Ohio's push for caregiver tax relief; Uncertain future of Y-12 complex under Trump administration threatens jobs, economy.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Senate Democrats refuse to support GOP budget bill. The EU and Canada respond to steel and aluminum tariffs and some groups work to counter Christian Nationalism, which they call a threat to democracy.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

NYS Public Service Commission approves gas rate increase

play audio
Play

Friday, August 23, 2024   

New York's Public Service Commission has approved a three-year rate increase for National Grid.

The more than 19% rate increase will impact Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island ratepayers starting Sept. 1. People will see an initial $30 increase in their bills this year. Outer borough residents will see rates grow $31 by 2026. Long Islanders will see a $27 rate increase in the same period.

Chris Casey, New York utilities regulatory director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, called it a step backward for New York's climate goals.

"This decision really undermines the goals and is prolonging our reliance on fossil fuels," Casey contended. "Which will increase costs for customers and delay the clean energy transition."

The money from the rate increases will finance capital investments in methane gas and help the company replace 351 miles of gas distribution pipes. New Yorkers were split on the rate case. Those who opposed it said it was too expensive or felt the state should move to renewable energy. Supporters countered it creates well-paying union jobs and improves reliability by removing leak-prone pipes.

Despite the approval of the increase going forward, New York is already moving away from using gas. The 2023 All-Electric Buildings Act bans natural gas and other fossil fuels in new buildings. Other bills continuing the work include the New York HEAT Act.

Casey noted the bill lets the Public Service Commission align utility companies with the state's climate laws.

"In particular, there's some provisions in the Public Service laws that effectively create a right to natural gas," Casey pointed out. "It enables the companies to provide gas to anybody who wants it in their service territories."

He added the provision makes it harder to manage the natural gas system and transition it to one aligned with the state's clean energy goals. The HEAT Act could cut utility bills nearly in half for one in four energy-burdened New Yorkers. Part of the bill ensures no household pays more than 6% of its annual income on gas or electricity bills.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Fewer than 40% of rural youth said they are confident they can find an internship, compared to more than half of their urban peers. (JustLife/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New data show fewer than half of rural Gen Z'ers believe they can find a good job in their community, compared to nearly 70% of their urban peers…


Environment

play sound

As federal funding for climate initiatives faces steep cuts, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations are stepping into the breach, calling out the …

Environment

play sound

Michigan ranks 26th in the U.S. for total installed solar capacity, while global capacity rose 21% from 2023. However, there are industry concerns …


The U.S. Department of Education is putting laid-off workers on paid leave starting Friday, March 21 and says they will be paid through June 9. (Neal/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

School employees are expressing outrage at the mass layoffs of half the U.S. Department of Education workforce. Secretary of Education Linda …

Social Issues

play sound

Republicans in Washington, D.C. remain focused on greatly reducing federal spending. However, a backlash is mounting in Congressional districts…

More than 70% of people who are imprisoned as a minor have experienced physical abuse growing up. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Maryland ranks second in the nation for charging children who have committed crimes as adults. But one expert says a more trauma-informed response in …

Social Issues

play sound

Pennsylvania residents who need assistance filing their income tax returns can use the free services of the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program…

Social Issues

play sound

The Iowa Legislature has advanced a bill to provide a $1 billion tax cut to companies covering unemployment benefits for out-of-work Iowans. Iowa …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021