Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) says that recent Con Edison delivery rate hikes will drive New Yorkers to move out of their homes and leave NYC for good.

“The New Yorkers are already paying the highest prices for electricity and gas in the country. When the pandemic hit our country, many people were facing and still are facing massive financial hardships paying their bills. In 2020, the Public Service Commission had approved a rate increase for Con Edison. The increase would take effect over three years. Customers would be paying about 13% more each month for electricity in 2022 than they did in 2019,” Colton stated. 

“The Public Service Commission controls changes to the rates and must notify customers when changes will be made to the rates. But the recent electricity rate hike caused Con Edison bills to be two to three times more within a few months for some individuals. If these rate hikes will continue, then it will be impossible for residents to afford their rent and utilities,” Colton continued.

“Con Edison already put a great burden on people by raising their rates without the approval of the Public Service Commission. But it didn’t stop them in January of 2022 to file a plan with the Public Service Commission asking for $1.2 billion more for their projects, which would result in an estimated 11% bill increase for electric and gas customers,” Colton added.

“The excessive increase in the recent rate hikes in electric bills is outrageous. The PSC should protect people from such increases; therefore, I am calling on the Public Service Commission to intervene and stop Con Edison's recent and future rate hikes without their approval,” Colton demands.