Thousands of customers have written to New York State officials adamantly opposing Con Edison’s proposal to hike energy and gas prices by more than 10 percent.
Democratic state Sen. Shelley Mayer is so fed up with ConEd’s prices that she and colleagues in Albany are looking at how other states set energy prices with an eye toward possibly scrapping New York’s system altogether.
“We’ll be looking sort of generally on new rate-setting methodologies,” she told The Record.
More than 1,600 comments had been filed with the state Department of Public Service as of May 2.
The energy and natural gas provider, which serves New York City and Westchester, submitted a proposal in January asking the state Public Service Commission — the division of DPS that regulates utility companies — to approve an 11.4 percent increase on electric delivery and a 13.3 percent increase on natural gas delivery.
According to ConEd, the rate increases are needed to cover costs associated with high demand, maintaining system reliability and safety, reducing emissions, improving customer outreach, infrastructure investments, and increased operating expenses.
The state estimates the proposed increases would add close to $27 to the average resident or business owner’s electric bill, and another $46 to the average gas bill.
Many customers complained that their Con Edison bills have gone up dramatically already. A large number of comments were made on April 14, when hundreds signed their names to a pre-written letter opposing the rate increases.
Mayer hosted a “No Love for Con Ed” rally on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains to demand lower Con Ed prices. Protestors said that some families across the county have had to make choices between basic necessities and keeping their homes heated.
Mayer, who told The Record people in her legislative district have started calling her “Miss Con Ed,” said the DPS has confirmed with her office that there will be an in-person hearing in Westchester on the proposed rate increases, though a date has not been set.
Mayer said she’s been “completely dissatisfied” with how the Public Service Commission has set energy prices.
“I’m not finished,” she said. “I’m going to continue making this a priority.”
Mayer has been working with County Executive Ken Jenkins, also a Democrat, to set an in-person hearing with the PSC. Jenkins last month announced he had secured a hearing with the commission — offering the County Center as a location — and back in March said Westchester County had joined a rate case against Con Edison.
Westchester is one of 71 parties signed on to the rate case against Con Edison.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has called on the PSC to reject ConEd’s requested rate hike and has directed the DPS to conduct a statewide audit of utility company salaries and compensation.
The PSC hosted two virtual hearings in April on Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes. Denn James, the Department of Public Service public information officer, told The Record that “a notice will be issued if additional hearings are scheduled.”
All comments regarding Con Edison’s rate increases are due to DPS by Nov. 21, according to Denn.
The Public Service Commission’s vote on Con Edison’s proposal also isn’t scheduled yet, Denn added. But if the rates are approved, they would go into effect in January 2026.
