Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins signed legislation that solidifies the County’s commitment to challenging Con Edison’s proposed utility rate increases. This action follows a unanimous, bipartisan vote by the Westchester County Board of Legislators to join the major rate case in New York State.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators has taken decisive action to protect residents against Con Edison’s proposed rate increases. In a unanimous, bipartisan vote on Monday, March 10th, the Board agreed to become a party to the major rate case in New York State alongside Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. This proactive move highlights the County’s unified commitment to protecting working-class families, seniors, and business owners and safeguarding the availability of affordable electricity and gas for all Westchester residents.
On the floor at the March 10th Board Of Legislators (BOL) meeting, BOL Majority Leader Tyrae Woodson-Samuels speaks against Con Edison’s “RIDICULOUS proposed rate increases.” Stating he and the BOL feel the current rates for electricity & gas “are already too damn high – to ask for an increase is criminal and unacceptable.”
“I’m happy to share that the Board agreed to become a party to the major rate case in New York State alongside Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. This proactive move highlights the County’s unified commitment to protecting working-class families, seniors, and business owners and safeguarding the availability of affordable electricity and gas for all Westchester residents,” Legislator Woodson-Samuels shared with Black Westchester.
Woodson-Samuels shared, “You can’t ask for an increase when: 1. You’re a Monopoly and 2. You pay your CEO 16M in salary/bonuses.”
The Board’s decision to join the rate case with the County Executive ensures that Westchester’s concerns will remain central throughout the proceedings and amplifies the voices of those who would be directly impacted by these rate hikes. Westchester County leadership is actively fighting for fairness and accountability in defending residents from unjustified utility rate increases.
Woodson-Samuels informs, that Westchester residents must “Take Action: Stop Con Edison’s Double-Digit Rate Hike!”
“Westchester residents, your voice is needed! Following the March 10th vote by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, we are standing alongside County Executive Ken Jenkins to fight back against Con Edison’s proposed major rate hike,” the Majority Leader shared. “You must Make your voice heard – let’s protect our residents from skyrocketing energy costs.”
So what can the residents of Westchester County do? How can they make their voices heard?
The Public Service Commission is hosting virtual hearings on Tuesday, April 8th at 1 PM & 5:30 PM and on Wednesday, April 9th at 1 PM & 5:30 PM. You must register the day before your chosen hearing at dps.ny.gov/calendar or call 1-800-342-3330.
To register for the Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 1:00 p.m. meeting click here. Afternoon Hearing Seeking public comment for the Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules, and Regulations of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Cases: 25-E-0072 and 25-G-0073.
To register for the Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 5:30 PM meeting click here. 5:30 PM Hearing Seeking public comment for the Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules, and Regulations of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Cases: 25-E-0072 and 25-G-0073.
To register for the Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m. meeting click here. Afternoon Hearing Seeking public comment for the Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules, and Regulations of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Cases: 25-E-0072 and 25-G-0073
To register for the Wednesday, April 9th, 5:30 p.m. meeting click here. 5:30 PM Hearing Seeking public comment for the Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Cases: 25-E-0072 and 25-G-0073
Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record during the virtual public statement hearings must register to do so by Monday, April 7, 2025, for the Tuesday, April 8, 2025, virtual public statement hearings; and by Tuesday, April 8, 2025, for the Wednesday, April 9, 202,5 virtual public statement hearings; in accordance with the instructions set forth below.
To register and provide a statement electronically: This option is for participants who would like to provide a statement and who will log in to a hearing electronically. Participants must register by the date indicated above by visiting the Department of Public Service website at https://dps.ny.gov/calendar, clicking on the “View DPS Calendar Listings” button under the “Calendars” section, scrolling to and clicking on Consolidated Edison Electric and Gas Rates Public Statement Hearings for the particular hearing date, clicking the “Register” button, and providing all requested information. After registration is complete, registrants will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the hearing. When logging in to participate in the virtual hearing on the appropriate date and time, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using the computer.” The “call me” option will require that participants enter their phone numbers.
To register and provide a statement by phone: This option is for participants who are not able to log in to a virtual public statement hearing electronically. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a virtual public statement hearing must register to do so by the date indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, following the prompts to the appropriate hearing, and then provide the following information: first name and last name, address, and phone number. On the day and time of the virtual public statement hearing, call-in registrants must dial 1-929-251-9612 and enter the access code and phone-in password listed above. All participants will be muted upon entry into the virtual public statement hearing. The ALJs will call upon each person who has registered to make a statement and will continue each hearing until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of each public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these proceedings.
To listen to the hearings without making a statement: Any interested person may listen to the hearings by calling 1-929-251-9612 and entering the appropriate access code and phone-in password listed above. Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 1-518-473-9463 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this Notice.
Submit written comments by November 21, 2025: Online – Visit dps.ny.gov and search Case “25-E-0072” or “25-G-0073” or Mail – Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350, you can also call 1-800-335-2120.
What’s At Stake?
Con Edison proposed double-digit rate hikes for electric and gas bills in 2026, seeking approval for an average 11.4% increase for electricity and 13.3% for gas, citing the need to fund infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy investments. Con Edison is seeking to increase average electric bills by 11.4% and average gas bills by 13.3%, effective January 1, 2026.
The proposal has faced criticism from lawmakers and advocates, with some calling for the New York State Public Service Commission to reject the proposal.
In closing BOL Majority Leader Tyrae Woodson-Samuels wants the people, they have the power but they must use it. We must take action to stop Con Edison’s double-digit rate hike. “You must Make your voice heard – let’s protect our residents from skyrocketing energy costs.”
en Español
Queridos amigos y vecinos,
El lunes 10 de Marzo, la Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Westchester tomó medidas decisivas para defender a los residentes contra los aumentos propuestos por Con Edison. La Junta votó para unirse al caso estatal sobre tarifas junto con el Ejecutivo del Condado, Ken Jenkins, asegurando que Westchester tenga voz en el proceso.
La Comisión de Servicio Público del Estado de Nueva York (NYSPC) está revisando estos aumentos, que podrían incrementar las facturas residenciales en un promedio de 11.4 por ciento para la electricidad y 13.3 por ciento para el gas en 2026.
La NYSPC esta aceptando comentarios públicos. Su opinión sobre estos aumentos propuestos en la entrega de electricidad y gas es crucial y será considerada antes de tomar una decisión final.
Participe y haga oír su voz.
Audiencias públicas virtuales:
- Martes 8 de Abril de 2025 – 1:00 PM y 5:30 PM
- Miércoles 9 de Abril de 2025 – 1:00 PM y 5:30 PM
Para hablar en una audiencia:
- Regístrese antes del 7 de Abril (para el 8 de Abril) o antes del 8 de Abril (para el 9 de abril)
- En línea: dps.ny.gov/calendar
- Teléfono: 1-800-342-3330
Envíe comentarios escritos antes del 21 de Noviembre de 2025:
- En línea: www.dps.ny.gov (casos “25-E-0072” o “25-G-0073”)
- Por correo: Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350
- Por teléfono: Línea de opinión 1-800-335-2120
Para adaptaciones especiales (personas con discapacidades o barreras del idioma), llame al 1-518-473-9463.
Su voz es importante.
Atentamente,
Tyrae Woodson-Samuels
Líder de la Mayoría, Legislador, Distrito 13
