Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) recently implemented a new charge for utility customers in their service area. Effective September 1, 2015, this charge called the Reliability Support Services Surcharge (RSSS) will impact the delivery portion of a customer’s electric bill. NYSEG which serves many customers throughout New York State also issued a similar charge back in the spring of 2013.
The need for this new charge stems from the occurrence of a number of power generation sources which have, or are expected to, come offline throughout the Northeast. RG&E has continued to evaluate how to ensure reliability of the New York bulk electric transmission system and the local Rochester electric distribution system. It was determined that the continued operation of R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant was necessary to preserve reliability at this time. RG&E was directed to negotiate with R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant on how to best recoup costs to keep this power plant online. It was decided that in order to accomplish the cost recovery, a surcharge would be passed through to customers.
Eventually the need for subsidies to keep existing generators operating to ensure reliability will be replaced by transmission lines or new power generation. However, in the meantime, please be aware that if you are in an area served by RG&E you will begin to see an increase in your delivery bill, effective immediately. For information on more specific details of the surcharge please see the following pdf document or contact us with specific questions.