Climate Politics
ConEd Power-Bill Backlash Threatens New York's Climate Goals
Higher electricity rates are needed to fortify the power grid against extreme weather, the utility says.
Solar panels on top of the Terminal B garage at LaGuardia Airport.
Photographer: Mary Altaffer/APAt a meeting to discuss a proposed electricity rate hike for the New York City area in June, Kisha Skipper approached the podium with a portable oxygen concentrator and her 10-year-old son in tow.
“I don’t have to tell you how astronomical my bill already is, and I can’t decide on whether to feed my child or even to buy stationery for school supplies or to pay my own medicine bill,” said Skipper, who uses power to run her oxygen machine after coming down with pneumonia from Covid-19 five years ago.