By Forum Staff
In response to a proposal by Con Edison to significantly raise energy rate costs, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and a number of local leaders hosted a press conference on Wednesday to demand the company rescind its proposal.
Should the current plan ultimately be approved by the New York Public Service Commission, starting next year Con Edison customers would see their electric bills increase by more than 11 percent and gas bills by more than 13 percent.
“Far too many of our neighbors live on the sharp edge of poverty — doing all they can to keep a roof over their head, their families fed and their children out of the shelter system,” Richards said. “The last thing we all need right now is to see our energy bills go through the roof. Today, we tell Con Edison that we won’t sit idly by and accept these hikes without a fight.”
Photo Courtesy of Borough President Richards
Today, we tell Con Edison that we won’t sit idly by and accept these hikes without a fight,” Borough President Richards said.
The press event was held at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall. Richards was joined by union leadership from 32BJ SEIU, as well as civic and community leaders from across The World’s Borough.
“In a time when most New Yorkers are living paycheck to paycheck, a steep increase in their utility bills would threaten the financial health of countless families,” Richards said. “Con Edison must cancel this preposterous proposal and come back to the negotiating table, as we work to ensure our residents have the utilities they need at a price they can afford.”
