NYAG James’ Office Censures Con Ed for Utility Price Spike in Scathing Letter
By: Hellen Zaboulani
Con Edison’s rising energy prices have caught the attention of Attorney General Letitia James.
As reported by Crain’s NY, on Monday the AG’s office wrote a letter to Con Ed asking the utility company for an explanation and demanding more price transparency in the future. “Hardworking New Yorkers shouldn’t have to make sacrifices to keep the lights on or to stay warm during the coldest months of the winter,” James said in a statement. “My office is calling on Con Edison to explain the unexpected increases in last month’s bills that affected thousands of New Yorkers. We are also demanding that the company communicate rate increases early on so New Yorkers know what to expect when they open their energy bill.”
In January, some New Yorkers saw their utility bills double or triple over the rates they paid in December. The letter to Con Ed, sent by Assistant Attorney General Kate Matuschak, a top official in the attorney general’s Consumer Fraud and Protection Bureau, complained that consumers had not received any prior notification to the rate increase.
As per Spectrum News, James asked Con Ed about any more anticipated rate increases over the next year, asking the energy provider to better communicate price hikes. Specifically, James called for one month advance notice for rate increases greater than 15 percent. She also asked the company to remind consumers about the deferred payment agreements and bill assistance programs available on the bills.
“We are reviewing the letter and look forward to a dialogue with the Office of the Attorney General,” Con Edison replied in a statement on Monday. “While supply costs and weather related increases in energy use are outside of our control, we do control our billing process and are looking to mitigate future supply cost volatility for our customers. We also offer energy-saving tips, energy efficiency programs that help customers save, and assistance for customers who have fallen behind on their bills.”
Prior to January’s price jump, Con Edison had asked the state for permission to raise electric bills by 11.2 percent and gas bills by 18.2 percent for 2023. The rate hike would add $1.2 billion in electric revenue and about $500 million in gas revenue. Con Edison said the new revenue would allow it to update its gas and electric delivery systems, and to make investments in renewable energy for electric vehicles and clean heating systems.
