More than 50 Westchester residents gathered at Saunders Trades and Technical School last night to voice their outrage over Con Edison's escalating utility costs at the Westchester County Board of Legislators' third Con Edison Public Input Session. The forum marked the latest chapter in the Board's countywide effort to amplify community concerns about the company’s pricing practices.

Frustrated residents, from the very young to the elderly, shared stories of daily hardships caused by excessively high utility bills. Some said they can’t afford to stay in Westchester upon retirement, despite wanting to remain in the area they’ve lived their entire lives. Others said they’ve had to choose between powering essential medical equipment for sick family members and adequately feeding or clothing their children adequately.

Con Edison is seeking to drive up delivery rates, with estimated increases in residential electricity bills of 11.4% and gas of 13.3% by 2026, compounding bills that many residents already consider exorbitant.

The Board launched these sessions after Westchester County joined the major rate case challenging Con Edison before the New York State Public Service Commission. This intervention, announced in March, ensures that residents' voices carry weight in proceedings that will determine their energy costs.

Chairman Vedat Gashi and Legislators Nancy Barr, Terry Clements, Judah Holstein, James Nolan, David Tubiolo, Shanae Williams, and Jewel Williams Johnson, listened intently to firsthand accounts from constituents battling unsustainable bills under what many called an unfair, infuriating monopoly.

The public is encouraged to attend the Board's fourth Con Edison Public Input Session:

Tuesday, July 15th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
New Rochelle YMCA in New Rochelle
50 Weyman Avenue

Watch last night's meeting replay on our website HERE.

Learn more about the Board's fight against Con Edison's rate hikes and how to make your voice heard on our website HERE.

Residents are also encouraged to attend in-person public statement hearings to give testimony that will become part of the New York State Public Service Commission’s review of the Con Edison Rate Case. The following hearings will be held in Westchester County:

Tuesday, July 8, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Cortlandt Town Hall in Cortlandt Manor
1 Heady Street - Vincent F. Nyberg Meeting Room

Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Westchester County Center in White Plains
198 Central Avenue - First Floor Meeting Room