AARP New York Calls for Utility Rate Reform in Wake of Con Edison Rate Hike

AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on the Con Edison Rate Hike:  

“Addressing the high cost of energy is critical to making New York State a more affordable place to live. The approved Con Edison rate increase, while an improvement over the original proposal, will still significantly impact households living on fixed incomes, particularly older adults.

AARP firmly believes the state must reform the way utility rates are structured. According to the Public Service Commission (PSC), Con Edison terminated service to more than 190,410 households in 2025. In December alone, more than 414,000 households in Con Edison’s service territory were 60 days or more behind on their utility bills, owing over $871 million.

AARP commends Governor Hochul and the legislature for their leadership in pushing back against Con Edison’s original rate increase proposal. If not for their advocacy, AARP believes this case could have been even more unaffordable.

In her proposed 2026–27 state budget, Governor Hochul appropriately takes on long‑overdue reforms to New York’s flawed rate‑setting process at the PSC. This legislative session presents an important opportunity for the Governor and the Legislature to advance those goals.

New Yorkers deserve fair energy prices if we are to have an affordable New York. AARP will continue to advocate for more reasonable utility rates for consumers and reform on how we develop energy rates.”

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About AARP 

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.