News Summary
Con Edison has disconnected over 88,000 households, a marked increase linked to rising energy costs and extreme temperatures. This disconnection rate is now three times higher than the previous year, leaving many families in dire situations, especially during heatwaves. Disparities in disconnections are evident, with minority communities affected disproportionately. Experts predict further disconnections could reach up to 150,000 by year’s end, amid concerns of energy poverty and rising utility rates.
New York – Con Edison, New York City’s monopoly utility provider, disconnected over 88,000 households in the first half of 2025. This alarming increase is part of a trend as the utility service arms itself against soaring energy costs and extreme temperatures motivated by the ongoing climate crisis.
In total, nearly 2.5% of Con Edison’s customers—who number around 3.6 million across New York City and Westchester County—lost their utility service in the first half of the year. This figure represents a disconnection rate that is three times higher than that recorded in 2024, indicating a growing crisis of affordability for many families. Reports reveal that one in five households disconnected from Con Edison remained without power for more than a week, exacerbating their plight during some of the hottest days of the year.
The month of June alone saw Con Edison cutting off service to 16,327 households, coinciding with New York’s inaugural heatwave from June 23rd to June 25th, which not only broke previous temperature records but also led to a surge in emergency room visits due to heat-related illnesses.
New York ranks among the highest electricity-cost states in the United States, complicating the ability of its residents to afford daily necessities, especially as they navigate ongoing economic strain from inflation and ever-rising housing costs. Statistically, heat-related deaths account for approximately 3% of all fatalities from May to September, making New York the second deadliest city in the U.S. for heat-related incidents, following Phoenix, Arizona. Over the past five years, more than 40% of New Yorkers have found themselves in arrears on their utility bills, leading to more than 23% of households experiencing disconnection at least once, which often leaves them without essential services like refrigeration and internet access until they can make reconnection payments.
The disparities in disconnections are notable, particularly among different demographics. Black and Latino New Yorkers are shown to be more than twice as likely to fall behind on utility payments and nearly eight times more likely to face disconnection compared to their white counterparts. By the end of 2024, approximately 16% of New York homes were behind on energy bills, accruing a staggering total debt of about $948 million. By June 2025, this figure had decreased to $840 million, with 12.5% of New Yorkers still flagged as behind on payments.
Experts predict that Con Edison could potentially disconnect up to 150,000 households by the end of 2025, marking a historically high level of disconnections for a utility provider in the United States. Con Edison argues that disconnections are pursued strictly as a last resort, emphasizing that two-thirds of customers in arrears are already enrolled in payment plans aimed at aiding those struggling to meet their bills.
Energy poverty, characterized by households unable to access sufficient electricity due to financial difficulties, affects roughly one in three households nationally, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue. In response to the crisis, Con Edison has provided about $311 million in discounts for qualifying customers in the past year and has enhanced its Energy Affordability Program to cater to vulnerable residents.
Significant price increases in electricity recorded from 2020 to 2022, aggravated by the pandemic and geopolitical factors, have intensified the ongoing financial challenges that households face. Compounding these issues further, Con Edison is currently requesting an 11% increase in electricity rates and a 13% rise in gas rates, which could lead to average electricity bills swelling by $372 over the next year for local residents. This proposed rise comes at a time when state and city leaders are advocating for measures to alleviate the burdens of escalating energy costs on low-income households.
Additionally, the increasing energy bills surface as many social safety net programs, which previously supported families in the wake of the Covid pandemic, have recently ended. Con Edison maintains that it suspends disconnections during extremely hot or cold weather, in line with National Weather Service forecasts, however, the effects of urban heat islands can lead to significant temperature variations across different neighborhoods.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Guardian: Con Edison Disconnections and Climate Crisis
- Bloomberg: NYC Electricity Rate Hike Threatens Climate Goals
- Habitat Magazine: Con Edison Utility Disconnections
- Utility Dive: NYC Power Bills Going Up This Summer
- Wikipedia: Electricity Pricing
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK CITY STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYorkCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York City, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York City, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
