‘Excelsior Power’ would allow utilities to control your smart thermostat
Written by Site Hub on March 14, 2026
Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a plan called “Excelsior Power” that would offer a $25 monthly bill credit to customers who replace older thermostats with smart thermostats and allow utilities to adjust those thermostats during times when the electric grid is most stressed. The report says the state is pursuing more flexible grid management as energy demand increases. It also describes an existing voluntary RG&E/NYSEG program that runs May 1 through Sept. 30, with brief temperature adjustments ranging from 1 to 4 degrees; participants receive notifications and can override changes. The story says participants get a gift card for signing up and a $20 bill credit at the end of the season, and it reports about 38,000 households have participated since 2016. The article includes reactions from residents interviewed who said they were hesitant about giving the utility control, and it notes Hochul is pushing to include the $25 credit in the state budget.
Source: News10NBC (WHEC)
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