Unconscionable Increase
To The Editor:

Another rate increase for Con Edison? Seventeen percent more, which will cost us $1.2 billion?

Are you serious, given this utility company's culpability in last year's debacle blackout in parts of Queens and the chaos caused by the blown pipeline in the city? These questions are being asked of virtually every Con Ed customer, and we need answers from all concerned.

This 17% increase, coupled with inflation and stagnant wages, will result in many working families and seniors scrambling to balance their budgets in order to meet this inconsiderate and unconscionable demand. Worse yet, it seems that we are paying for the gross negligence and inefficiency this company has inflicted on us in the past.

What assurances do customers have to ensure that such a debacle does not happen again? We need a guarantee that we will not be in total darkness for any period of time, due to lack of preparedness to handle such occurrences again, but more so, we need a guarantee from Con Edison that all the necessary preventative measures are in place. A rate increase at this point in time does not buy this company any of its patron's confidence.

I am calling on every elected official in New York state to explore the possibility of ending the monopoly that Con Edison has on the public and also request that all legislators put a moratorium on Con Edison's increases until all these proposals are met. Albert Baldeo Ozone Park