Nov 25, 2009 7:30 pm US/Eastern
Con Ed: Happy Holidays! Now Let's Raise Your Rates
Utility About To Whack Everyone In New York City And Westchester; Residents In Astoria, Queens Especially Peeved
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Consolidated Edison has "shock" in store for customers this holiday season -- another round of hikes for what is already America's priciest electricity.
The utility's 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County are about to be "juiced" again … and again ... and again. The utility has unveiled a plan to raise your rates three times over the next three years.
"Even though these are tough economic times for everyone we need to continue to maintain the system and have that system ready so when the economy rebounds we're there," Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said.
Tell that to angry consumers who in these tough economic times are just plain worn out by the ever increasing cost of power.
"They have a lot of nerve. They really do. People are hurting so badly and I think they should be able to find a way to keep the rates the same," said Patty Gibson of New Rochelle.
"Of course I'm angry. I didn't know about it 'til you said it to tell you the truth. But now I'm angry. I wasn't angry 'til you told me," added Kevin Crinnion of the Bronx.
The utility has two different rate proposals but both raise rates every year for the next three years, starting next April.
The utility said under one proposal the average Westchester homeowner -- of a small home -- would see rates rise from $116.11 to $122.65 in the first year.
The average city apartment dweller would see their monthly bill go from $83.60 to $88.38 in year one.
And the average business customer's bill would rise from $15,744 a month to $16,412.
The residents of Astoria, Queens, still haven't forgiven Con Ed for the 2006 blackout. They're burned up about the increases.
"I'm certainly against it. I think that Con Ed should use common sense and not even think about it. You know, we had a blackout here a couple of years ago and 200,000 people were affected. Con Ed was responsible. They say they have to upgrade this and upgrade that. I just don't buy it," George Delis said.
"They have to be kidding. Of all economic times that were under they really are stretching it you know? What about the people, the little people? Do they remember the little people?" added Pat Decato.
Consumers in New York City and Westchester pay more for their power than anyone living on the mainland of the United States. Only people living in Alaska, Hawaii and the islands off New England pay more.
Of course, the rates are only an estimate. Con Ed's prices vary depending on suppliers' costs. Its prices fluctuate with the cost of oil and natural gas.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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