Along with 27 of my State Senate colleagues, I sent a letter to the New York Public Service Commission today regarding Consolidated Edison, Inc.’s (ConEd) refusal to suspend the collection of late fees or late payment charges (LPCs) this winter season. This urgent letter comes in response to ConEd’s projections that its average residential natural gas heating customer will pay 32 percent more than last year's average winter bill, and its electrical customers in New York City and Westchester are forecasted to pay 22 percent and 27 percent more, respectively.
I am deeply disappointed in ConEd’s decision not to suspend the collection of late fees this winter season. In an economic climate where many New Yorkers struggle to keep the lights on, stay warm, and keep food on their table, it is troubling that ConEd is unwilling to take this nominal step to ensure basic necessities for their customers.
New Yorkers are resilient. But for those who have fallen behind on utility bills, late charge fees make it even more difficult to catch up and get back on track. ConEd should reconnect with its own mission statement to ‘improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.’ This is not a matter of profits, it is a matter of principle.
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