NYSEG customers seek answers after bill costs skyrocket [Video]

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) — Numerous NYSEG customers are speaking out against the energy provider after they reported their monthly bills have gone up hundreds of dollars.

Residents claim NYSEG’s new smart meter technology is to blame for their electric and gas bills going through the roof.

NYSEG senior manager for communication Shelby Cohen told WIVB News 4 the smart meters make readings more accurate, transmitting actual usage back to NYSEG to eliminate user error.

“NYSEG and RG&E generate two million bills per month across the state,” Cohen said. “And of that we experience about one-half of one percent of customers needing to call us and look into an issue that they see on their bills.”

NYSEG also said these smart meters have nothing to do with larger bills but factors like increased seasonal usage, increased natural gas cost and discrepancies between estimated and actual readings.

“We don’t have central air, …