A candidate running to become New York State’s financial watchdog wants to put an end to ever-increasing gas and electric bills being controlled by industry-affiliated bureaucrats.
Democrat Raj Goyle, who is looking to primary incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, has vowed to audit utility companies that continually seek approval to charge customers more. According to Goyle, ratepayers need a “cop on the beat” watching over these increases.
Goyle criticized DiNapoli for not doing enough to scrutinize the state Public Service Commission (PSC), which he claims has been a “rubber stamp” when reviewing and approving rate hikes for Con Edison, National Grid, and other utility providers.
“It’s been Rip Van Winkle,” Goyle told The Post. “For too long, our state’s auditors and regulators have been asleep at the wheel, rubber-stamping higher electric bills for New Yorkers, often on behalf of foreign-owned utilities. Ratepayers deserve better.”
He added, “This is about fairness. If they can raise your bill, the comptroller should be the ratepayers’ cop on the beat — someone who follows the money, exposes the deals, and makes sure New Yorkers finally have a real partner in the energy battles of the coming years.”
### Energy Fairness and Ratepayer Accountability Plan
Goyle’s “Energy Fairness and Ratepayer Accountability” plan includes new “Utility Fairness Audit” powers that would allow his office to directly examine investor-owned utilities.
“My office will audit the state’s role in these price hikes,” he said. “New Yorkers pay more while utilities and their shareholders pocket tax credits, abatements, bonuses, and side deals. For years, no one in state government has followed the money. I will expose those deals and put real pressure on regulators and Albany to stop letting the system work for utilities while everyone else keeps getting squeezed.”
### Concerns Over Data Centers and Energy Use
Goyle highlighted a major issue that must be addressed: new and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) data centers that are consuming an increasing share of the energy supply.
Data centers consumed 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, and this figure is projected to rise to as much as 12% by 2030. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) predicts double-digit grid-load growth linked to data centers, AI technology, and electrification.
Goyle argues that data centers should pay a “fair share fee” given their significant impact on energy demand.
### Stance on Green Energy and Utility Costs
Contrary to some arguments, Goyle insists that green energy mandates—some of which have faced delays by Governor Kathy Hochul amid opposition or impractical deadlines—are not the main drivers of higher utility costs.
Utilities maintain that transition costs associated with moving from fossil fuels to cleaner energy, including investments in new infrastructure such as transmission lines, are significant cost factors.
All of New York’s major energy suppliers have proposed rate hikes or have had them approved.
### Campaign Commitment
“This campaign will make it clear that the office can and must act as a cop on the beat for ratepayers — auditing, exposing, clawing back, and refunding what’s been taken from them,” Goyle said.
### Background
A tech executive and lawyer, Raj Goyle previously served in the Kansas State House of Representatives. He also ran for a federal congressional seat but lost to Republican Mike Pompeo, who later served as Secretary of State in the first Trump administration.
Drew Warshaw, an affordable housing nonprofit executive, is another announced candidate in the Comptroller race.
Incumbent Tom DiNapoli, who has been in office since 2007, had no immediate comment.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/16/us-news/nys-comptroller-candidate-raj-goyle-wants-to-take-utility-hikes-out-of-hands-of-bureaucrats/
