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Rye Brook to join multi-municipality legal effort against Con Edison rate increase; board authorizes hiring special counsel if 20 municipalities participate
Summary
Trustees authorized hiring Dichter Law as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison’s electric and gas rate case, contingent on at least 20 municipalities signing on and a maximum shared cost of $100,000.
The Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees on March 11 authorized hiring Joel Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison’s electric and gas rate case before the New York State Public Service Commission, contingent on at least 20 municipalities agreeing to join the representation.
Chris (village staff) said Con Edison filed a petition Jan. 31 proposing double-digit increases — including an 18% overall electric increase and a 25.1% rise in residential delivery charges — to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Village officials said those increases would follow roughly 20% cumulative increases over the past three years and could add significant financial pressure for residents and businesses.
The proposed arrangement with Dichter Law would include intervening in the rate case, conducting discovery, retaining expert witnesses and participating in hearings and settlement discussions, at a total not-to-exceed cost of $100,000. That fee would be split equally among participating municipalities; Rye Brook’s maximum share would be $5,000 if 20 municipalities sign on, and a lower per-municipality cost if more join. The authorization will take effect only if at least 20 municipalities agree to Dichter Law representation.
Trustees and staff stressed that municipal participation gives local governments a seat at the table during discovery and settlement negotiations, which can determine rate allocation, technical justifications for investments and multi‑year settlement structures. Chris noted the county legislature passed a resolution to participate but may use its in‑house counsel; Rye Brook officials said they still see value in a specialist utility-law firm and technical consultants that municipal representation can bring.
Mayor Klein and trustees described public concern over recent bills and delivery charges; trustees urged residents to file comments on the PSC docket and noted virtual public hearings scheduled in April. The board voted unanimously to approve the authorization contingent on the 20-municipality threshold: Trustee Epstein — yes; Trustee Fisher — yes; Trustee Heizer — yes; Trustee Merlino — yes; Mayor Klein — yes.
