New York's Public Service Commission Unanimously Approves Rate Hike for Con Edison Customers Despite Widespread Opposition
A unanimous decision by the Public Service Commission has approved a rate hike for Con Edison customers, with average electricity bills set to increase by 3.5% this year, and gas bills rising by 4.4%. The increases will result in a $6.88 monthly bump for NYC residents, while gas customers can expect an average increase of $10.67.
The move has been met with fierce resistance from advocates and elected officials, who argue that the rate hikes are too high for New Yorkers to afford. Over 70 city and state officials signed a letter urging the commission to reject the proposal, citing concerns about people struggling to pay their bills. AARP's Bill Ferris echoed this sentiment, stating that the increases are "way too high" and that Con Edison should work on reducing rates rather than raising them.
The utility company, however, maintains that the revised increases are in line with the rate of inflation. The original proposal, filed more than a year ago, was significantly steeper, but was rejected by Governor Kathy Hochul's administration. Instead, the new proposal has been approved by environmental groups, New York City's government, and 40 Westchester municipalities.
According to AARP, around 1 million Con Ed ratepayers received notices last year that their power would be cut off due to lack of payment, highlighting the challenges faced by many households in paying their energy bills. The company has also reported nearly $13 billion in total operating revenue for the first nine months of 2025, with customers owing around $1 billion in unpaid energy bills.
The Public Services Commission estimates that the new rate hike will increase Con Edison's annual electricity revenues by $1.6 billion and an additional $440 million for natural gas. However, critics argue that this is not enough to alleviate the burden on consumers, who are already struggling with rising energy costs.
A unanimous decision by the Public Service Commission has approved a rate hike for Con Edison customers, with average electricity bills set to increase by 3.5% this year, and gas bills rising by 4.4%. The increases will result in a $6.88 monthly bump for NYC residents, while gas customers can expect an average increase of $10.67.
The move has been met with fierce resistance from advocates and elected officials, who argue that the rate hikes are too high for New Yorkers to afford. Over 70 city and state officials signed a letter urging the commission to reject the proposal, citing concerns about people struggling to pay their bills. AARP's Bill Ferris echoed this sentiment, stating that the increases are "way too high" and that Con Edison should work on reducing rates rather than raising them.
The utility company, however, maintains that the revised increases are in line with the rate of inflation. The original proposal, filed more than a year ago, was significantly steeper, but was rejected by Governor Kathy Hochul's administration. Instead, the new proposal has been approved by environmental groups, New York City's government, and 40 Westchester municipalities.
According to AARP, around 1 million Con Ed ratepayers received notices last year that their power would be cut off due to lack of payment, highlighting the challenges faced by many households in paying their energy bills. The company has also reported nearly $13 billion in total operating revenue for the first nine months of 2025, with customers owing around $1 billion in unpaid energy bills.
The Public Services Commission estimates that the new rate hike will increase Con Edison's annual electricity revenues by $1.6 billion and an additional $440 million for natural gas. However, critics argue that this is not enough to alleviate the burden on consumers, who are already struggling with rising energy costs.
The recent decision by the Public Service Commission in New York City is a stark reminder of the complex interplay between economic factors and public policy. While it's understandable that Con Edison needs to adjust its rates to remain financially sustainable, 3.5% might be a steep increase for many residents who are already feeling the pinch from rising energy costs 
. It's concerning to see over 70 city and state officials speak out against this proposal, highlighting the human impact of these rate hikes on individuals struggling to make ends meet 
. On one hand, environmental groups, NYC government, and Westchester municipalities have supported the revised proposal, which is a step in the right direction for sustainability and affordability. However, the fact that nearly $13 billion in operating revenue was generated by Con Edison in just nine months of 2025 raises questions about the distribution of these funds 
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... I can totally see why people are upset about this rate hike 
. It's like, one minute you're trying to make ends meet, and then BAM! Your electricity bill goes up by another 3.5% 
who are already struggling to afford basic necessities. The fact that over 70 officials signed a letter against this hike shows that there's a real concern about people losing their power 
. Can we really say that inflation is the only reason they need to raise rates? 
, another rate hike in the Big Apple? I know inflation's been high lately, but $6.88 a month for electricity? That's like adding an extra coffee to my daily routine every day for a year 
! And don't even get me started on gas prices - who can afford that kind of increase? 
. The company's got a lot to explain to us why they need to raise rates so drastically 
. I mean I get that inflation and all that but come on, $6.88 a month? That's not even a lot of money 
. It just doesn't seem right. I hope something changes soon because this isn't fair to us regular people 
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. what's wrong with these utility companies, huh? they're always looking out for their profits, but where's the love for the people using their services? it's all about the bottom line, i guess 
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. While environmental groups and the city government may have seen value in the revised increases being more in line with inflation, I believe there should be a more comprehensive review of Con Edison's business model to prioritize affordability over profits