Westchester Municipalities Form Consortium to Oppose Con Edison Rate Hike

Westchester County, NY – April 4, 2025 – In an unprecedented show of unity and bipartisan support, 38 cities, towns, and villages that represent almost 1 million residents across Westchester County are joining together to form a municipal consortium to oppose the latest proposed rate increases by Consolidated Edison (Con Edison). The consortium has retained Joel Dichter of Dichter Law LLC to represent their interests before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) in Con Edison’s electric and gas rate case.

On January 31, 2025, Con Edison filed a petition with the PSC seeking to increase electric and gas rates as of January 1, 2026. Under this proposal, electric rates would rise by 18%, with residential delivery charges increasing by 25.1%, and natural gas delivery rates climbing by 19.1%. These proposed increases follow a 20% rate hike over the past three years, placing additional financial strain on residents and businesses throughout Westchester County.

Recognizing the severe financial impact of these increases, the following municipalities have approved resolutions or have administratively approved to join the consortium and hire Mr. Dichter, an experienced attorney in utility cases, along with a technical consultant, to review the Con Edison petition and submit testimony and comments to protect the interests of their residents:

Approved with Resolutions or Administratively Approved: Ardsley, Bedford, Briarcliff, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastings, Irvington, Mamaroneck Town, Mamaroneck Village, Mt. Vernon, New Castle, New Rochelle, Ossining Town, Ossining Village, Peekskill, Pelham Manor, Pelham Town, Pelham Village, Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye City, Rye Town, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, Yonkers, and Yorktown.

Expected to approve a resolution at their next board or council meeting: Bronxville, Mt. Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Tuckahoe, and White Plains.

Additional Westchester municipalities may also join the consortium as the case progresses.

“Our communities must stand together to protect our residents and businesses from these excessive rate hikes,” said Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Mt. Vernon Mayor and President of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association (WMOA), representing the municipal consortium. “By joining forces, we will seek to ensure that our voices are heard and that any approved rate changes are fair and just.”

The consortium also encourages residents and business owners to stay informed and engaged throughout the PSC review process. Public participation and advocacy will be essential in ensuring that the interests of Westchester communities are represented.

Con Ed customers are encouraged to sign up to comment on the proposed Con Edison rate increases at virtual public statement hearings to be held by the NYS Department of Public Service (NYSDPS) on the following dates and times: Tuesday, April 8 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 9 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. To make a public statement you must register one day prior to the virtual public statement hearing. For more information on the rate case and how to register to comment, visit the NYSDPS web site at: https://tinyurl.com/DPSConEdPublicHearings

Press Conference to follow on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30p.m. at The Briarcliff Manor, 25 Studio Hill Rd, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510