Photo Courtesy of AG Tish James
“Utility companies have a responsibility to make sure consumers’ bills are fair and accurate, and my office is determined to hold them to that standard,” AG Tish James said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
State Attorney General Tish James recently reached out to Con Edison officials for an explanation for the unexpected spike in utility bills in January that affected thousands of Empire State residents. Many New York City consumers filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General saying that their Con Ed bills for January 2022 were significantly higher than they were in the prior billing cycle, with some consumers reporting bills that were as much as three times greater even though their consumption remained the same.
James fired off a letter to the utility on Thursday. In it, she requested the following:
(1)The reason(s) for the sudden increase in rates;
(2)A description of anticipated rate increases for the next year, and the anticipated reasons for such increases;
(3) A commitment to communicate clearly with consumers in writing concerning significant rate increases, including by providing a clear and conspicuous explanation in bill inserts and on your website; (4) A commitment to provide advance notice about anticipated rate increases, including by providing notice in writing at least one month before an anticipated rate increase of more than 15 percent; and
(5) A commitment to provide, in advance of significant rate increases, a reminder to consumers about Con Edison’s affordability solutions, including deferred payment agreements and/or other bill assistance programs.
“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. “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. Utility companies have a responsibility to make sure consumers’ bills are fair and accurate, and my office is determined to hold them to that standard.”
Con Edison supplies energy for millions of New Yorkers. In some cases reported to OAG, the total amount due on some bills was two or even three times higher than in the previous billing cycle. One customer saw their bill jump from around $200 in December to more than $400 in January. Consumers have stated that the sudden change on their bills could not be explained by increased energy use alone. Consumers have also stated that they received no advance warning from Con Edison about the rate increase. For many consumers, this rate increase is so large that they may have difficulty meeting their monthly expenses. One consumer wrote, “We are a working family with an infant living in an affordable housing lottery unit, we are struggling to pay childcare, how are families expected to cope with price fluctuations like this?!?!”
“It’s completely unacceptable that New Yorkers are paying significantly more for power while Con Edison brings in surplus profits. Particularly as Con Edison continues to push for rate hikes, we must investigate how to protect New Yorkers from these unreasonable spikes,” said City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
