Recently, a NYSEG representative reached out to explain the many variables of costs, smart meters, how to understand billing statements and more. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Recently, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers in Chenango County and surrounding counties stated their frustrations and concerns over their high energy bills while NYSEG posted a warning to customers to expect higher energy bills in March due to an increase in supply costs combined with household usage of energy during the winter months. 

Following up on customer concerns, an interview was held with a NYSEG representative and she explained the many variables of costs, smart meters, how to understand billing statements and more.

“We want to keep Chenango County in the know and we are planning on coming up to your area with some customer connection events later this year,” said NYSEG Director of New York Communications Shelby Cohen. “Possibly in June, we will have in-person meetings. We want to be as transparent as possible.”

Cohen gave some background on the NYSEG bill noting,”It gets tricky when we just use the term 'rates’.”

She said a NYSEG bill is divided into two parts. One part is the delivery rate which is what NYSEG charges to deliver your energy and encompasses all of their infrastructure.

“Our lights, the electrical poles, our sub-stations, our office buildings, our employees, our fleets of bucket trucks when the power goes out- so we can come fix it for you,” said Cohen. “That's really the rate.”