A 15% supply discount is not 15% off the bill.
In NYSEG territory, supply is roughly 45 to 55% of a residential bill — the rest is delivery, the customer charge and state riders. A 15% discount on supply is around 7% off the total. Always compute the dollar saving on YOUR usage, not just the per-kWh rate quoted by an ESCO.
And remember: NYSEG covers the widest geographic footprint in NY, mostly rural. Delivery per customer is structurally high. That ratio is unlikely to shift soon.
Every line, decoded.
| Line on your bill | What it pays for | Who sets it | Shoppable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity supply | The kWh, priced by your supplier | NYSEG default or your ESCO | Yes |
| Delivery charge per kWh | Moving power from the grid to your meter | NY PSC via NYSEG tariff | No |
| Basic / customer charge | Flat monthly fee for meter + service drop | NY PSC | No |
| System Benefits Charge | Funds NYSERDA efficiency & assistance programs | NY PSC | No |
| Clean Energy Standard / RPS | Funds the state renewables build-out | NY PSC + legislature | No |
| Earnings Adjustment Mechanism | Performance incentives for the utility | NY PSC | No |
| Gross Receipts Tax | NY state tax on utility receipts | NY legislature | No |
| Sales tax | State + local sales tax (varies by county) | State + local | No |
Rider names change occasionally after a rate case. The categories above stay roughly constant.
A NYSEG bill at 600 kWh / month.
Illustrative figures only — your exact bill depends on your SC and the current riders.
- Supply (600 kWh × default rate)
- ~$55
- Delivery (600 kWh × delivery rate)
- ~$62
- Basic / customer charge
- ~$22
- Riders (SBC, CES, EAM, etc.)
- ~$7
- Taxes
- ~$4
- Total
- ~$150
Common questions about NYSEG bills.
One is supply (the kWh you used, priced by your supplier — NYSEG default or your ESCO). The other is delivery (NYSEG moving the kWh to you). Only supply moves when you switch suppliers.
A flat monthly fee that pays for the meter, the drop line and the billing system. You pay it at zero usage. The PSC approves the exact amount in NYSEG's rate case.
State policy charges: the System Benefits Charge funds NYSERDA programs, the Clean Energy Standard funds renewables, and assistance riders subsidise low-income customers. They are volumetric (per kWh).
NYSEG default service is auctioned monthly. The rate tracks the wholesale market and can rise or fall every cycle. To stabilise it, switch to a fixed-rate ESCO product that complies with the 2023 Reset Order.
Call NYSEG customer service first at 1-800-572-1111. If unresolved, the NY PSC complaint line is 1-800-342-3377.
Yes — Budget Billing averages your annual usage into 12 equal monthly payments. It does NOT lower your total cost; it smooths cash flow. If you fall behind, NYSEG also offers a Deferred Payment Agreement spreading arrears over a set term.
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