Electricity Rates Probed for Possible Overcharges

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is investigating whether electricity users in the North Country were overcharged for electricity earlier this year.

FERC officials said they could not say when the investigation would conclude or provide details.

The New York Independent System Operator, which oversees the management of electricity transmission in the state, has questioned whether congestion in the system may have been caused by some transit companies, resulting in price hikes.

In northern New York, Alcoa tells the Watertown Times it has seen an increase of $5 million on its bill in the first six months of this year. In that same time, the Massena Electric Department spent almost $500,000 more for power than in the same period a year earlier.