ConEd began their campaign in January to increase their electricity rates by 11.4% and natural gas rates by 13.3% that would start on January 1, 2026. The utility states they need the increase due to increased property taxes and costs from: staffing, energy efficiency, compliance, affordability programs, among others. This requested rate increase results in an average residential monthly delivery bill increase of $26.60 for a 600 kilowatt-hour/month customer.
Governor Kathy Hochul voiced her disapproval in a letter sent to the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) on February 11. “I am requesting that this proposal be rejected as it would burden New Yorkers who are already struggling to make ends meet after several years of inflationary pressures in the marketplace.” She concluded, “Right now, affordability is our greatest short-term challenge and the Department of Public Service must take all necessary steps to protect ratepayers from Con Edison’s unconscionable rate hike.”
On April 2, NYS Senators Kristen Gonzalez and Julia Salazar, NYS Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and NYC Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez and Lincoln Restler sent a letter opposing the rate hikes to the PSC. The gist of letter conveyed “ConEdison’s proposed rate increases would place an undue burden on families and small businesses already struggling with rising living costs, and they saw no sufficient need for such drastic hikes, which come on the heels of three other approved rate hikes between July 2023 and January 2025.”
The 11- month process for a utility to receive a rate increase is called a rate case, and according to the PSC website, “begins when a utility requests to change the delivery rates it charges customers. The utility has the responsibility of demonstrating its need to increase rates and it files expert testimony describing why the rate increases are necessary.” The review process is open to the public, who may file comments or speak at a public hearing.
PSC began the first round of community hearings about these rate hikes on April 8 and 9.
The commission held more hearings in July. The PSC is accepting written comments through November 25, 2025 here: https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Comments/PublicComments.aspx?MatterCaseNo=25-e-0072. As of July 18, there are 5936 comments for the electricity rates.
During months 5–7 of the rate case, there is an evidentiary hearing. On June 24, ConEd requested a postponement for the evidentiary hearing with the PSC. The PSC granted this, which seems to postpone any rate hike until March 1.
The Greenline 