Con Edison slashes rate increases to 3.5% electric and 4.4% gas after massive public pushback over original 11.4% proposal

Con Edison has agreed to significantly reduce its proposed rate hikes under a landmark three-year settlement that would cap electric increases at 3.5% and gas increases at 4.4% starting January 1, 2026. The dramatic reduction from the utility’s original proposal marks a major victory for cost-conscious consumers across New York City and Westchester County. Here’s what the new settlement means for residential and commercial customers over the coming years.

How the Settlement Dramatically Reduces Con Edison’s Initial Request

In January 2025, Con Edison initially requested an 11.4% increase on electric bills and 13.3% on gas bills. Facing immediate pushback from lawmakers, customers, and community groups, the company revised its request in April to 11.3% for electric and 10.5% for gas. Under the new joint proposal announced in November, those figures dropped dramatically.

For the average customer, this means 2.8% annual electric increases and 2% gas increases across the three-year period, far below the original request. New York City and Westchester County residents will see considerably smaller monthly bill increases than previously feared. The Public Service Commission must still formally approve the agreement before it takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Year-by-Year Rate Breakdown and What Customers Can Expect

The settlement establishes a predictable schedule for rate adjustments over the next three years. In 2026, electric rates rise 3.5% while gas rates remain relatively flat with a proposal-dependent increase. For 2027, electric rates climb 3.2%, followed by 3.1% in 2028. Gas rates show more variation, with proposals for modest increases in 2027 and 3.7% in 2028 potentially offset by a slight decrease in 2026.

Year	Electric Rate Increase	Gas Rate Impact
2026	3.5%	~4.4% (proposed)
2027	3.2%	7.2% (proposed)
2028	3.1%	3.7% (proposed)

The multi-year structure provides visibility for household budgeting and commercial operations. Customers can anticipate modest annual increases rather than sudden, dramatic spikes.

What Triggered the Dramatic Settlement Reversal

Public pressure proved decisive in forcing Con Edison to dramatically scale back its demands. Westchester County officials, state legislators, environmental groups, and thousands of residents voiced fierce opposition to double-digit increases. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and the county Board of Legislators emphasized that while infrastructure investment matters, affordability cannot be sacrificed.

The company framed the settlement as balancing critical infrastructure needs with customer affordability concerns. Con Edison requires substantial capital investment to maintain aging infrastructure, support resilience against climate challenges, and modernize the grid for clean energy integration. The settlement provides lower revenue increases while still allowing the utility to fund necessary system upgrades across New York City and Westchester.

“Families are already being stretched to the limit with rising costs for housing, healthcare, and education. We cannot allow Con Edison to continue passing its costs on to ratepayers without full transparency and measurable accountability.”

— Westchester County officials, Statement on Con Edison Settlement

What Happens Next with the Settlement Approval Process

The New York Public Service Commission must formally review and approve the settlement before January 1, 2026. The PSC examines whether the agreement serves the public interest and balances utility company needs with customer affordability. Industry observers expect approval given the joint nature of the proposal, which includes support from Con Edison, consumer advocates, environmental groups, and various state and local stakeholders.

Timeline matters significantly: customers need clarity before next winter heating season. Early approval would give households time to understand their 2026 bills and adjust household budgets accordingly. Delays could create uncertainty heading into the critical winter months when heating bills typically spike. Stakeholders have indicated the PSC review should conclude within the coming weeks to meet the January 1 implementation target.

Will the Settlement Actually Go Into Effect on Schedule?

Unexpected reversals remain possible if new information emerges or major stakeholders withdraw support. However, the broad coalition backing this agreement suggests implementation is likely. Both consumer advocates and the utility have endorsed the terms, indicating genuine compromise was achieved. Environmental groups, including Environmental Defense Fund and Rewiring America, praised provisions supporting heat pump adoption and clean energy investments included within the settlement terms.

How Will This Impact Your Wallet and the Region’s Utilities Future

For a typical residential customer, 3.5% electric increases translate to roughly $5-12 more monthly in 2026, depending on usage patterns and current bills. Gas customers facing 4.4% increases might see $3-8 additional monthly costs. Over three years, cumulative increases remain far below the 30%+ bills would have climbed under initial proposals. Commercial and industrial customers, which face different rate structures, should review specific settlement impacts with Con Edison representatives.

Beyond immediate financial impacts, the settlement signals how utility rate-setting works in practice. Public pressure, political engagement, and organized advocacy can meaningfully affect expensive utility decisions. This case demonstrates that utility companies, even in regulated industries, respond to coordinated community opposition when proposed increases appear excessive relative to affordability concerns. Future utility rate cases nationwide may reference this Con Edison settlement as precedent for balancing infrastructure investment with customer protection.

Sources

• CBS New York – Coverage of Con Edison rate hike reductions and settlement details.
• New York State Senate – Official statement on settlement and rate reduction achievement.
• Westchester County Government – County officials’ analysis and reaction to proposed rate changes.