New York State of Unaffordability Part 3: Utility Bills, Bills, Bills

Some Upstate New York residents say their utility bills have more than doubled in the past year, and the cost of keeping the lights on has become one of the biggest issues in this year’s race for governor. As governor, Kathy Hochul has offered rebate checks and a new Ratepayer Protection Plan, while her Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman has pledged to cut utility bills in half.

WNYC reporter Jon Campbell takes us to Lockport, New York, to hear from residents and break down what each candidate is promising, how realistic it is, and what frustrated voters make of it all in the third episode of our four part series leading up to the November 3rd election: New York State of Unaffordability.

Photo: Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News via Getty Images

Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at [email protected].

• Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
• Join us on Thursday, October 22nd 2026 for In Conversation: The Affordability Series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.