# New York PSC October 2026: Winter Bills Steady, $25 Thermostat Credits, 14 Energy Companies Lose Eligibility

> At its October 15, 2026 session, the New York Public Service Commission said winter electric supply bills should be similar to last year, approved demand response changes with a $25 monthly smart thermostat credit, and revoked the eligibility of 14 energy companies.

- URL: https://solarexaminer.com/posts/new-york-psc-october-2026-session/
- Site: Solar Examiner (https://solarexaminer.com/)
- Category: News
- Published: 2026-10-16
- Last verified: 2026-10-16
- Author: Tehseen Arbab

## Key takeaways

- The New York PSC expects full-service residential electric supply bills this winter to be similar to last winter on average, and gas bills to be lower.
- Market-priced electric supply is forecast at about $74 a month for 600 kWh, up 4.6%; market-priced gas at about $241 a month for 140 therms, down 3.2%.
- New smart thermostat customers who join the new Excelsior Power Program get a $25 monthly bill credit for the first year.
- The PSC revoked the eligibility of three energy marketers and 11 distributed energy suppliers, including Sunnova and PosiGen.



The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) met in Albany on October 15, 2026. It issued four press releases that afternoon. Three matter for household bills: a winter outlook, changes to demand response programs, and enforcement against 14 energy companies.

## At a Glance

| Decision | What it means for households |
|---|---|
| Winter readiness report (Case 26-M-0316) | Full-service electric supply bills similar to last winter; gas bills lower on average |
| National Grid demand response changes; Excelsior Power Program | $25 monthly credit for the first year for new smart thermostat participants |
| Enforcement under Uniform Business Practices | 14 companies lose eligibility, including Sunnova and PosiGen |

## 1. The Winter Outlook

PSC Chair Rory M. Christian said "consumer costs are expected to remain stable or be slightly lower than last year." The Commission's staff report found utilities have enough gas and electricity for residential and commercial customers this winter, with limited gas pipeline capacity in the Capital Region and downstate that it does not expect to prevent meeting demand.

**Supply cost forecasts, November to March:**

| Customer type | Usage basis | Forecast | Change from last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service residential electric | Statewide average | Similar to last winter | — |
| Full-service residential gas | Statewide average | Lower than last year | Lower |
| Market-priced electric supply | 600 kWh a month | About $74 a month | +4.6% |
| Market-priced gas supply | 140 therms a month | About $241 a month | −3.2% |

By our arithmetic, $74 for 600 kWh is about 12.3¢ per kWh for market-priced supply, and $241 for 140 therms is about $1.72 per therm. These are supply costs, not total bills; delivery charges are separate.

**Why full-service customers are more stable:** the PSC says utilities have hedged about 70% of estimated statewide full-service residential electric needs. Customers who buy from an energy service company (ESCO) at market prices do not get that protection.

The PSC also pointed to the **Energy Affordability Program (EAP)**, which provides monthly bill discounts aiming to keep typical electric and gas bills under 6% of household income. Households in HEAP or certain public assistance programs may be enrolled automatically. Apply at ny.gov/EAP. For federal heating help, see our [LIHEAP guide](/posts/liheap-energy-assistance-2026-27/).

## 2. A $25 Monthly Credit for Smart Thermostats

The PSC approved National Grid's changes to its gas demand response programs, including less annual testing and lower enrollment thresholds. It also opened for public comment the Phase 1 plan for the **Excelsior Power Program**, a single statewide platform for residential direct load control. That means voluntary programs in which the utility can remotely adjust an enrolled smart thermostat or home battery during peak periods, summer or winter.

- **Incentive:** new participating smart thermostat customers get a **$25 monthly bill credit for the first year**, which is $300 over 12 months.
- **Not eligible for the enhanced credit:** customers already in a utility smart thermostat or bring-your-own-thermostat program before the 2026–2027 State Budget passed.
- **Funding:** $33 million in the state budget.

The PSC did not give a start date or a comment deadline in its release.

For homes with solar and a battery, programs like this can add value on top of bill savings. See [time-of-use rates and solar](/posts/time-of-use-rates-and-solar/) for why peak hours matter.

## 3. Fourteen Companies Lose Eligibility

The PSC revoked the eligibility of three energy marketers and 11 distributed energy resource (DER) suppliers for violating its Uniform Business Practices rules.

**Energy marketers:**

- API Energy, LLC (ESCO)
- Prime Time (broker/consultant)
- PTM Marketing & Consulting Inc. (broker/consultant)

**DER suppliers:** AMS Construction Corp, Distributed Generation Associates, Hifadhi Clean Energy LLC, IC Energy Consulting, Inc., JG Renovations, LLC, JRG Solar, LLC, Sunnova Energy Corporation, No Shorts Electric, PosiGen Developer, LLC, Solitude Solar, LLC, and Rural Generation and Wind.

**Violations cited** included failing to keep eligibility current, failing to file required annual compliance filings, using unregistered subcontractors for enrollments, and enrolling or trying to enroll customers without authorization.

If your ESCO can no longer operate in New York, the PSC says your service returns to your utility, or you can choose another provider. For solar customers of the affected DER suppliers, see [our article on the Sunnova and PosiGen revocations](/posts/new-york-revokes-sunnova-posigen-der-suppliers/).

## What Did Not Make News

Con Edison's electric and gas rate cases (25-E-0072 and 25-G-0073) were on the consent agenda, but the PSC issued no press release about them. Con Edison's multi-year rate plan for 2026 through 2028 was approved earlier this year. See our [New York rate guide](/posts/new-york-electricity-rate-changes-2026/).

## Limitations

This article is based on the PSC's press releases. We did not read the underlying orders. Supply forecasts are averages and do not predict individual bills.

## Sources

- [NY PSC, "Utilities Prepared to Meet Consumer Demand for Electricity and Natural Gas During Winter," October 15, 2026](https://dps.ny.gov/news/utilities-prepared-meet-consumer-demand-electricity-and-natural-gas-during-winter-1)
- [NY PSC, "PSC Approves National Grid Modifications to Demand Response Programs," October 15, 2026](https://dps.ny.gov/news/psc-approves-national-grid-modifications-demand-response-programs)
- [NY PSC, "PSC Acts Against Fourteen Energy Companies for Failing to Abide by Rules," October 15, 2026](https://dps.ny.gov/news/psc-acts-against-fourteen-energy-companies-failing-abide-rules)
- [NY DPS, Final October 15, 2026 session agenda](https://dps.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/10/pr-26094-final-october-2026.pdf)

## Frequently asked questions

### Will New York electric bills go up this winter?

The PSC expects full-service residential electric supply bills to be similar to last winter on a statewide average, and gas bills to be lower. Actual bills vary by utility, weather and usage, and a colder-than-normal winter would raise them.

### What is the Excelsior Power Program?

A statewide platform for residential direct load control programs, which remotely adjust enrolled smart thermostats and home batteries at peak times. New participating smart thermostat customers get a $25 monthly bill credit for the first year. The state budget includes $33 million for it.

### Which energy companies lost eligibility in New York?

ESCO API Energy and brokers Prime Time and PTM Marketing & Consulting, plus 11 distributed energy resource suppliers including Sunnova Energy Corporation and PosiGen Developer, LLC, according to the PSC's October 15, 2026 release.

### What happens if my ESCO loses eligibility?

The PSC says your service returns to your local utility, or you can choose another energy provider.


Image credit: Photo by sofia inductgroup on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/ornate-white-building-with-red-roofs-and-many-windows-z_iMW8r6HNg?utm_source=solarexaminer&utm_medium=referral)