The Long Island Power Authority blamed a statewide group Thursday for potential increases to residential utility bills.

New York's Independent System Operator, which runs the state power grid, proposed new rules that would require LIPA to increase its excess power capacity in case of emergencies by 2030.

The ruling can cost ratepayers nearly $60 million each year, or about 2 percent more on their monthly bills. That's around $3 a month, a cost that NYISO says LIPA is exaggerating.

But ratepayers like Leroy Sessions of Hempstead say they have a problem with any additions to their monthly expenses.

"Our bills are already out of control," he says. "Why are we building more things that we don't need?"

PSEG Long Island, which runs LIPA's power operation, says Long Island has plenty of excess power through 2038.

LIPA says it's currently working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in an effort to reject or adjust the new requirements.