Hochul references Post story to blast Con Edison over shocking rate hikes but offers few solutions as locals caught in crosshairs
The heat’s on Hochul.Gov.Kathy Hochul bashed Con Edison’s plan to hike gas and electric rates for tapped-out locals Tuesday — but critics zapped her for offering few solutions to stop bills from skyrocketing. The Democrat held a news conference in her Manhattan office after days of mounting outrage from tapped out New Yorkers who would pay an $1,848 more per year compared to five years ago if Con Edison’s proposal is OK’d by state regulators.“The burden is already high,” Hochul said and referenced a Post story about a Queens building owner who is switching to oil to save money.
“Listen to someone who is switching to dirtier heating oil because he can’t afford his gas bills.”Con Edison is asking the state Public Service Commission for the increases for its 3.6 million customers that would jack up electric bills by 11.4% and send gas bills soaring 13.3% – increases Hochul called “intolerable” and “shocking.”“This is a real hit on families,” Hochul said, joined at the presser by representatives of the AARP and the Community Service Society.“They didn’t budget for this.
They weren’t planning for this.”The rate hike would wipe out planned $500 “inflation refund” checks planned as part of the governor’s budget proposal.“And these bills going up upwards of $500 a year — I’m trying to put $500 back in their pockets because of the inflation rebate, and it’s going to go right out the door to pay this bill? Come on, how are they supposed to get ahead?”Hochul appointed the leadership to the regulatory agency, and she sent a letter to PSC Commissioner Rory Christian to reject the rate hikes scheduled to go into effect in 2026.But others zapped back at Hochul, with one Democratic rival saying rates have ballooned under the governor’s watch while others blamed her own green-energy push for soaring costs.Rep.Ritchie Torres, who is eyeing a primary run against Hochul in 2026, said Hochul “is the problem.”“Since 20...