Communities throughout Westchester County are joining forces to fight double-digit rate increases proposed by Con Edison that would kick in January of 2026.
Dozens of towns, cities and villages county-wide, representing more than a million residents, have formed a municipal consortium aimed at preventing that from happening.
The consortium has retained Dichter Law LLC, of Mt. Kisco, to represent its interests before the New York State Public Service Commission.
The utility is seeking rate hikes that would increase an average electric bill by 11.4 percent, and an average gas bill by 13.3 percent.
“The typical gas heating customer would see an increase in their gas delivery averaging over $550 more for heat per year,” according to the office of Shelley Mayer – a state senator who represents a large chuck of Westchester.
The utility says it needs the increases to invest in the future.
“Our proposed investment plan will support critical work and investments in reliability, resiliency and clean energy infrastructure to meet the high expectations of our customers, who depend on us to deliver the most reliable electric service in the nation” said Matthew Ketschke, president of Con Edison.
Elected leaders here in Westchester are angry at Con Ed’s request for the increases, and they’re fighting to stop it.
“The Public Service Commission should pull the plug on this proposal and demand a plan that actually works for consumers, not just Con Ed’s bottom line” said County Executive Ken Jenkins. “While we all recognize the need for reliable energy and infrastructure improvements, passing excessive costs onto consumers — especially without transparency and accountability — is simply unacceptable.”
State Senator Pete Harckham sent a letter to the state’s Public Service Commission blasting the proposal.
“At a time when many New Yorkers are struggling financially, dealing with inflation and trying to stretch their paychecks just to pay for the basics, it is just ludicrous for Con Ed to expect that these rate hikes would be rubber stamped for approval,” Harckham said. “Regardless of its rationale for needing to increase revenue, at this time residents cannot be expected to come up with money that many simply don’t have to spend.”
The County Board of Legislators has also joined the fight.
“We are drawing a line in the sand against these excessive rate hikes that would devastate Westchester families and seniors already struggling with rising costs” said Board Chairman Vedat Gashi, who represents New Castle, Ossining, Somers and Yorktown. “By joining this rate case, we’re ensuring our residents have a powerful voice at the table where decisions are made.”
“Hardworking families and small businesses are already struggling with rising costs; rate hikes from Con Edison would only add to that burden” added Legislator Colin D. Smith, who represents Cortlandt, Peekskill and Yorktown.
“I also am upset at rate hike proposals” said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner in an open letter. “Con Ed continues to be a profitable company. I think that rate hikes that are approved should be based on how much profit the company makes each year.”
State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, who represents river towns from Ossining to the Town of Philipstown, has also been a vocal critic of Con Ed’s proposal.
“My constituents are already struggling with their Con Edison bills” said Levenberg. “The idea that Con Ed wants to raise rates further is mind-boggling to me and everyone I speak with.”
She, along with Assemblymember Chris Burdick, are what’s known as intervenors in the rate cases currently being reviewed the Public Service Commission.
That means they are able to “access detailed filings, cross-examine the proposals, submit evidence, and participate in confidential settlement negotiations should the case follow that path,” according to Levenberg’s office. “Being an intervenor gives us more of a vision to see how it works from the inside.”
Levenberg is also supporting proposed legislation “that would help regulate the rates so they don’t bill back customers for lobbying and high salaries while people can’t afford to heat or cool their homes.”
In addition, the assemblymember backs the consortium formed to fight the hikes “I think it’s great, the more the merrier.” Levenberg adds, “We are showing Con Ed we can’t support these increases, and they will have to make their pencils sharper to get to a place where people can afford to keep their heat on.”
Residents can follow developments by visiting:
https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=25-e-0072
