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 night, 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.
“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. By joining this rate case, we’re ensuring our residents have a powerful voice at the table where decisions are made,” Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said.
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.
“Con Edison’s recent submission of a petition to the NYS Public Service Commission requesting authorization to increase gas and electric rates by double digits is unconscionable. By the affirmative Board vote to become a party in this rate case—it gives us a seat at the table and demonstrates our commitment to our constituents to try to keep these increases from continuing to be a burden to the residents of Westchester,” Minority Leader Margaret A. Cunzio (C- North Castle, Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Harrison) said,
Con Edison’s proposed rate hike for 2026 is being reviewed by the New York State Public Service Commission. If approved, rates for residential customers would increase an average electric bill by 11.4% and an average gas bill by 13.3% by 2026, according to Con Edison.
“Hardworking families and small businesses are already struggling with rising costs; rate hikes from Con Edison would only add to that burden. We need to ensure that essential services remain affordable and accessible to all. Tonight’s vote is a strong move in the fight to protect consumers from unfair rate increases that hit them where it hurts the most,” Legislator Colin D. Smith (D- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown) Chair of the Board’s Legislation Committee, said.
The Public Service Commission will decide on the final rates after a months-long process. County Executive Ken Jenkins, Chairman Vedat Gashi, and other legislators will participate in the Public Service Commission’s online hearing in early April.
“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. 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,” County Executive Ken Jenkins said.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester, we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
en Español
La Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Westchester ha tomado medidas decisivas para proteger a los residentes contra los aumentos propuestos por Con Edison en las tarifas de electricidad y gas. En una votación unánime y bipartidista el lunes por la noche, la Junta acordó formar parte del caso principal sobre tarifas en el Estado de Nueva York, junto con el Ejecutivo del Condado de Westchester, Ken Jenkins. Este movimiento proactivo resalta el compromiso unificado del Condado para proteger a las familias trabajadoras, a los adultos mayores y a los dueños de negocios, garantizando la disponibilidad de electricidad y gas a precios asequibles para todos los residentes de Westchester.
La decisión de la Junta de unirse al caso sobre tarifas con el Ejecutivo del Condado asegura que las preocupaciones de Westchester seguirán siendo el foco central del proceso y amplifica las voces de aquellos que se verían directamente afectados por estos aumentos. El liderazgo del Condado de Westchester está luchando activamente por la equidad y la rendición de cuentas para defender a los residentes de incrementos injustificados en las tarifas de los servicios públicos.
El aumento de tarifas propuesto por Con Edison para 2026 está siendo revisado por la Comisión de Servicios Públicos del Estado de Nueva York. Si se aprueba, las tarifas para clientes residenciales aumentarían en un 11.4 % en las facturas de electricidad y en un 13.3 % en las facturas de gas para 2026, según Con Edison. La Comisión de Servicios Públicos tomará una decisión final sobre las tarifas después de un proceso de varios meses. El Ejecutivo del Condado, Ken Jenkins, el Presidente Vedat Gashi y otros legisladores participarán en la audiencia en línea de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos a principios de Abril.
Continuaremos proporcionando actualizaciones a medida que haya más información disponible.
