The Westchester County Board of Legislators by a bipartisan unanimous vote has authorized the county to request “party” status in the Con Edison rate cases that are before the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC). Con Ed is asking for a 11.4% rate increase for electricity and 13.3% for gas by 2026. County Executive Ken Jenkins on March 11 signed off on the authorization.
The PSC allows interested municipalities such as Westchester County to become “parties” in a utility company’s rate case. Unlike members of the public, parties in a rate case can contribute to the development of a complete record in a proceeding by conducting discovery, submitting testimony and other formal written comments, and participating in evidentiary hearings and conferences.
The Board of Legislators believes that by working alongside Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins they’ll show a unified commitment to working-class families, seniors and business owners and safeguard the availability of affordable electricity and gas for all Westchester residents.
Legislator David T. Imamura who represents Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson and Irvington and chairs the Board’s Law & Major Contracts Committee said, “At a time when the CEO of Con Ed is making more than $16 million a year, it is outrageous to place the burden of paying corporate executives’ salaries on the backs on the working people of Westchester.”
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi, who represents New Castle, Ossining, Somers, and Yorktown said, “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.”
Jenkins, Gashi and other legislators plan to participate in the PSC’s online hearings in early April.
Jenkins said, “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.”
