County Board opposes Con Edison rate increases

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Apr. 3, the Board of Legislators voted to oppose Con Edison’s proposed delivery rate increases.

Upon approval of the rate hike proposal by the state Public Service Commission (PSC), residential electric and gas bills in Westchester and New York City would increase over the next three rate years, from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025. The new rates would be effective June 1, 2023. Per New York State law, Con Edison is not permitted to raise prices on the energy supply it provides but is allowed to make profits on investments and delivery.

Legislators believe the rate hike will disproportionately impact low-income families and small businesses already struggling to make ends meet. Many households are considered "energy insecure," meaning they struggle to pay their utility bills on time and maintain adequate energy services. According to the New York State legislature, as of July 2022, 385,358 NYC and Westchester Con Edison customers were already behind on their energy bills, with an average debt of $2,146 per household.

The additional rate hikes would further diminish the purchasing power of federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding, putting families and small businesses in an even more dire financial position to stay safe in the winter. LIHEAP provides one-time emergency utility bill support within a calendar year to low-income families nationwide to help subsidize the cost of heating and cooling their homes.

"Con Edison's proposed rate hike is a major concern for our constituents, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times," said Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D - Cortlandt, Croton on Hudson, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Peekskill). "We cannot allow a utility company to balance its books on the backs of lower-income families and small businesses, especially when it earmarks fossil fuel infrastructure upkeep instead of completely shifting to renewable energy investments."