Westchester residents face daunting Con Edison rate hikes

In Westchester County, New York, residents expressed serious concerns during a public hearing about proposed rate hikes by Con Edison, which occurred recently on Wednesday night. The utility company is suggesting an average increase of 11.3% for electric bills and 10.5% for gas bills, which they claim is necessary to strengthen the electricity grid against severe weather conditions, support the state's clean energy initiatives, and maintain a responsive customer service infrastructure. This proposal was slightly reduced from an earlier plan that Con Edison announced in January, reflecting some responsiveness to customer feedback. Many residents are alarmed by the financial impact these proposed increases would have on their monthly expenses. Numerous individuals voiced their frustrations at the state Public Service Commission meeting held in White Plains, where they articulated how these hikes would affect their already stretched budgets. Elmsford resident Pauline Quinones highlighted the disparity between typical salary increases and the significantly higher rate increases proposed by Con Edison, indicating that many residents may find it hard to justify the additional costs. Others shared personal accounts, with Greenburgh resident Diane Petrillo mentioning her potential need to move due to financial strain caused by Con Ed. The issue of affordability was also echoed by Yonkers resident Carol Beledo, as she revealed her monthly energy costs had reached staggering levels, explaining that her bills fluctuated between $600 and over $1,000 for just two residents in her home. She compared the growing bills to paying another mortgage and noted that even with attempts to limit usage by wearing extra clothes and relying on space heaters, the financial burden remained intolerable. Amid rising concerns, Westchester County Executive Kenneth Jenkins rallied opposition against the proposed hikes, labeling them as "unfair, unaffordable and unacceptable" for working families in the area, emphasizing that while infrastructure improvements are essential, they must be cost-effective for consumers. Con Edison has acknowledged resident concerns about affordability and stated that in the past year, they provided $300 million in bill discounts for low-income customers. The company expects to continue enhancing their outreach efforts to enroll more customers into their discount programs. As advocacy against the proposed hikes continues to unfold, the county leaders emphasize the importance of finding a balance between infrastructure needs and the financial well-being of Westchester families.