NYS Comptroller candidate Raj Goyle aims to remove utility rate increases from bureaucratic control.

New York Comptroller Candidate Pushes for Utility Audits

Candidates seeking oversight of New York’s financial management are looking to shift control over rising gas and electricity bills away from industry officials.

Democrat Raj Goyle, likely to succeed current Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, aims to scrutinize utility companies. He argues that many of them regularly seek approval for higher charges and that customers need, as he puts it, “accurate watchdogs.”

Goyle has criticized DiNapoli for insufficiently vetting the state Public Service Commission, claiming it has become merely a “rubber stamp” for approving rate hikes proposed by Con Edison, National Grid, and other providers.

“It’s like Rip Van Winkle,” Goyle noted, expressing frustration that state auditors and regulators have been neglectful, allowing foreign-owned utilities to impose escalating costs on New Yorkers. “Ratepayers deserve better,” he added.

“This is about fairness. If bills can be raised, the comptroller should act as the ratepayer’s precise enforcer—someone who tracks financial dealings, shines a light on agreements, and ensures that New Yorkers receive genuine support in the ongoing energy challenge,” he stated.

Goyle has introduced his “Energy Equity and Ratepayer Accountability” plan, seeking new powers to perform “utility equity audits” directly targeting investor-owned utilities. “My office plans to scrutinize the state’s involvement in these price hikes,” he explained, highlighting that while New Yorkers face higher costs, utility companies and their shareholders are benefiting from tax breaks and side agreements. “For years, no one in state government has addressed this. I will unveil these arrangements and push regulators and Albany to stop favoring utilities at the expense of consumers.”

He expressed concern about the growing demand for energy from artificial intelligence data centers, which are expected to consume 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, surging to potentially 12% by 2030.

New York’s independent system operators anticipate significant increases in grid loads linked to data centers and electrification. Goyle insisted that these facilities should contribute their “fair share” towards energy costs.

He contended that the green energy mandates—some delayed by Governor Kathy Hochul due to opposition—are not primarily responsible for increasing utility expenses. Utilities argue that costs related to transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, including installing new infrastructure like transmission lines, are significant factors.

All major energy providers in the state have sought or received approvals for rate increases.

Goyle emphasized: “This campaign will clarify to ratepayers that authorities must act as auditors, uncovering, policing, and reclaiming what has been charged.”

As a background, Goyle is a lawyer and technology executive, previously serving in the Kansas House of Representatives, though he lost a federal election to Republican Mike Pompeo, who later became Secretary of State under Trump.