Frustrated residents assembled to express their anger over Con Edison's soaring delivery charges during the Westchester County Board of Legislators' fifth Con Edison Public Input Session held at Rye Brook Village Hall Tuesday night.

The meeting continued the Board's countywide effort to spotlight community concerns about the utility company's pricing policies.

Older residents testified that skyrocketing utility costs were pushing them to their financial breaking point. One speaker said his family faces painful choices between buying their children clothing and paying their utility bills. Others described drastically cutting their electric and gas consumption to cut costs, only to watch their bills climb as Con Edison’s delivery rates surge.

Con Edison is seeking to drive up delivery rates, with estimated increases in residential electricity bills of 11.4% and gas bills of 13.3% by 2026 — adding to bills already widely considered excessive by residents.

The Board launched these public input sessions as part of its commitment to opposing the proposed rate increases. The initiative follows the County's decision to join Con Edison's major rate case before the New York State Public Service Commission, an intervention announced in March that ensures residents have a meaningful voice in proceedings that will shape their energy costs.

Tuesday night, Chairman Vedat Gashi and legislators Jewel Williams Johnson, Shanae Williams, David T. Imamura, Nancy E. Barr, Catherine F. Parker, Erika L. Pierce, and Judah Holstein listened intently to distraught community members.

New York State Senator Shelley Mayer, an advocate for ratepayer protection reforms, attended to voice her opposition to the rate hikes during the meeting as did Rye Brook Mayor Jason A. Klein and Port Chester Deputy Mayor Phil Dorazio.  Also present were Rye Brook Deputy Mayor David Heiser, Rye Brook Trustees Donald Krom, Jr. and Susan Epstein, and Port Chester Trustee Richard Abel.    

Watch last night's meeting replay HERE.