State and local officials push back against proposed Con Edison rate hikes for next year
A group of state and Westchester County officials are urging the Public Service Commission to reject Con Edison's joint proposal.
A group of state and Westchester County officials are urging the Public Service Commission to reject Con Edison's joint proposal.
Originally, Con Ed proposed a 13.4% increase for electricity and a 19% increase for gas.
That proposal faced a lot of push back.
In November, a number of parties entered into a joint proposal for new electric and gas rate plans for the three-year period.
That proposal significantly reduces the proposed rate hikes, 2.8% increase on the electric and 2% on the gas.
Despite progress like that, a group of state and county officials say there is still more work to be done.
“Even with the improvements these proposed increases still place too heavy a burden on people who are already stretched thin," says Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
“Delivery rates for utility companies in our district are out of control. My office is hearing loudly from constituents whose utility bills have doubled or even tripled in recent years. We got involved in this rate case to fight for our constituents. Although we moved the needle, and the proposed rates are lower than they would be if we hadn't jumped in, the proposed rates are still unaffordable. We are therefore opposing the Joint Proposal before the PSC and calling on the PSC to cut the proposed rates," said Assemblymember Chris Burdick.
Con Ed sent News 12 the following statement:
"The Joint Proposal is the result of an 11-month, highly inclusive process led by the Public Service Commission, engaging the broadest range of stakeholders to date. This process worked as designed, ensuring all voices were heard and producing a plan that balances the immediate affordability challenge with the investments necessary to maintain system reliability and resilience in the short term. Con Edison is acutely aware of the issue of affordability, which is why last year we provided more than $300 million of discounts to income eligible customers in our energy assistance programs. This year, we advocated for the recently approved expanded energy affordability program which will raise the income thresholds and allow for more customers to become eligible for bill discounts."
News 12 reached out to the New York State Department of Public Service.
Below is a statement from the agency.
"The recently submitted joint proposal calls for a reduction in the Con Edison rates of nearly 87 percent from what was initially proposed by the utility. The joint proposal calls for a total bill increase in the first year that is below the rate of inflation and has the support of New York City, environmental and community advocates, and industry groups."
A date for a decision hasn't been announced.
The new rates would go into effect in January.
