Public Power New York will host New York’s first Utility Ripoff Hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Herbert Von King Park, located at 670 Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn. The event brings together Brooklyn residents, energy advocates, local lawmakers, and utility customers to examine rising utility costs, reliability concerns, and the structure of the state’s energy system.
Renewable Heat Now is mobilizing New Yorkers to speak at public hearings across the state and submit written comments to strengthen the 2025 Draft State Energy Plan before it is finalized by the New York State Energy Planning Board.
Public Power New York Hearing Details and Speakers
Speakers at the Brooklyn hearing include City Council Member Chi Ossé and state Sen. Jabari Brisport. They will be joined by energy organizers, experts, and utility customers who plan to share their personal experiences with Con Edison and National Grid.
The event is organized by the Public Power New York coalition. A central feature of the gathering will be direct testimony from utility customers, alongside presentations explaining how New York’s energy system operates. Organizers will also provide information regarding energy affordability programs and other resources, while outlining their campaign for greater public ownership of energy infrastructure and expanded publicly owned renewable energy.
Rate Hikes Drive Growing Energy Affordability Concerns
The hearing arrives as energy affordability remains a pressing concern for New York households. A 2026 New York City Council resolution cited rising electricity and natural gas costs across the city, noting that the Public Service Commission approved multiyear rate changes for both National Grid and Con Edison.
According to the City Council resolution, National Grid’s downstate gas rate plan increases average natural gas costs for New York City customers by about 10.5% annually over three years. Meanwhile, Con Edison’s approved plan increases average electricity costs by about 2.8% annually and natural gas costs by about 2% annually.
These rate increases carry particular weight for Brooklyn residents. National Grid provides natural gas service in Brooklyn, while Con Edison supplies electricity and other utility services to many customers across the city.
State Energy Planning Board Context
The separate state-level mobilization focuses on the New York State Energy Planning Board, a group of representatives from various state agencies and organizations tasked with creating a roadmap for New York’s energy future. Advocates are calling on the board to lower energy bills, rein in gas utilities, invest in clean energy, and follow the Climate Act.
Doors for those hearings open at 4 p.m., with speakers given two minutes to address members of the board after registering in advance or at check-in. The State Energy Planning Board last updated its plan in 2020 and aims to address meeting future energy needs, reducing greenhouse gases, ensuring reliability and affordability, and protecting public health and the economy over a 15-year horizon.
What May Happen Next
Following the Oct. 6 hearing in Brooklyn, residents who participated could become more actively involved in the broader public-power campaign advocating for public ownership of energy infrastructure. Public input gathered through state hearings and comment forms could influence the New York State Energy Planning Board as it works toward finalizing its draft energy plan. It remains unconfirmed whether testimony collected at the Brooklyn event will formally alter the multiyear rate changes already approved by the Public Service Commission for Con Edison and National Grid.
Details for the Brooklyn Utility Ripoff Hearing
When and where is the Utility Ripoff Hearing taking place?
The event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Herbert Von King Park, located at 670 Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn.
Who is organizing the Brooklyn event?
The event is organized by the Public Power New York coalition, with featured speakers including City Council Member Chi Ossé and state Sen. Jabari Brisport.
What rate increases are facing New York City customers?
A 2026 New York City Council resolution stated that National Grid’s downstate gas rate plan raises average natural gas costs by about 10.5% annually over three years, while Con Edison’s plan increases average electricity costs by about 2.8% annually and natural gas costs by about 2% annually.
What is the role of the New York State Energy Planning Board?
The board consists of representatives from different state agencies and organizations who create a 15-year roadmap to meet New York’s future energy needs in a way that is clean, reliable, and affordable.
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