RyeCity REVIEW THE
April 7, 2023 | Vol. 10, Number 14 | www.ryecityreview.com
RYE RUGBY HEATS UP
Nationally-ranked Rye and Greenwich square off in a rugby match on March 31. The Cardinals edged the Garnets 27-14 in a good early-season test for Rye. For story, see page 16. Photo/ Mike Smith
Westchester ranks in Top 6 statewide in health outcomes
Westchester ranked fourth out of 62 counties for health factors, and sixth for health outcomes, according to the County Health Rankings released by the national County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “These rankings show we are making progress but have more work to do in collaboration with our community partners. COVID-19 and the struggles of the last few years have taken a toll on all of us, but we are committed to working together to improve health outcomes, the quality of life and health equity for all Westchester residents.”
The County moved up from fifth place to fourth place when measuring health factors, which are things that can be changed to improve the quality and length of life. Factors that affect our health include health behaviors, access to and quality of clinical care, social and economic factors such as education, employment, income, family and social support and community safety, air and water quality, housing and transit. Westchester’s ranking for health outcomes moved from fourth to sixth place in measuring how long and how well people live. Westchester has ranked in the top 10 since 2011, when the rankings started.
When compared with the state, Westchester had lower rates of physical inactivity, obesity, teen births, motor vehicle crashes and chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease. Westchester also had higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance, and lower rates of children in poverty, violent crime and injury deaths. Westchester County is working to improve health outcomes for African American and Hispanic residents. The County rankings were developed by The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and are funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
County board opposes Con Ed rate hikes In a unanimous vote on Monday night, the Board of Legislators passed a resolution opposing Con Edison’s proposed delivery rate increases. Upon approval of the rate hike proposal by the state Public Service Commission (PSC), residential electric and gas bills in Westchester and New York City would increase over the next three rate years, from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025. The new rates would be effective June 1, 2023. Per New York State law, Con Edison is not permitted to raise prices on the energy supply it provides but is allowed to make profits on investments and delivery. Legislators believe that the rate hike will disproportionately impact low-income families and small businesses already struggling to make ends meet. Many households are considered “energy insecure,” meaning they struggle to pay their utility bills on time and maintain adequate energy services. According to the New York State legislature, as of July 2022, 385,358 NYC and Westchester Con Edison customers were already behind on their energy bills, with an average debt of $2,146 per household. The additional rate hikes would further diminish the purchasing power of federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding, putting families and small businesses in an even more dire financial position to stay safe this winter. LIHEAP provides one-time emergency utility bill support within a calendar year to low-income families nationwide to help subsidize the cost of heating and cooling their homes. “Con Edison’s proposed rate hike is a major concern for our constituents, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times,” said Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D - Cortlandt, Croton on Hudson, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Peekskill). “We cannot allow a utility company to balance its books on the backs of lower-income families and small businesses, especially when it earmarks fossil fuel infrastructure upkeep instead of completely shifting to renewable energy investments.” “Con Edison’s rate hike is a slap in
the face to working families and small businesses who are already struggling to make ends meet. We need solutions that are fair and equitable for all New Yorkers, not just those who can afford to pay higher rates,” said Legislator Catherine Parker (D - Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont, part of New Rochelle, part of Harrison). Legislator Terry Clements (D Pelham, Pelham Manor, New Rochelle) said, “Access to electricity is not a privilege, but a necessity for our modern world. For those who are already struggling to pay their electric bills, another rate increase can push them closer into poverty and financial insecurity.” Additionally, while the company has committed to increasing its renewable energy portfolio in the coming years, the proposed rate hike doesn’t do enough to accelerate this transition or reduce the state’s carbon footprint. Con Edison still generates large portions of its electricity from natural gas and other non-renewable sources, which results in ongoing maintenance of pipelines for gas delivery. Further, the company disclosed that a significant portion of the revenue from its proposed rate increases will invest in fossil fuel infrastructure. Chair of the Environment, Energy, and Climate Committee and BOL Vice-Chair Nancy Barr (D – Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester) said, “New York State and Con Edison should be doing everything in their power to transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system, not doubling down on the status quo. This rate hike is both costly and counterproductive, and will only reinforce our dependence on dirty, non-renewable energy sources.” Customers may provide comments to the PSC by Friday, April 7, 2023, but they will continue to be accepted while these cases remain pending before the PSC. Written comments will become part of the record considered by the PSC. Comments can be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case numbers “Case 22-E-0064 (Con Edison electric rates)” or “Case 22-G-0065 (Con Edison gas rates),” and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.