If you live in Westchester County and feel like your gas bill keeps climbing despite national headlines about falling energy prices, you’re not imagining things. The numbers tell a clear story: while gas supply rates have remained relatively stable or even decreased slightly, delivery rates have surged — and the reasons are rooted in local infrastructure politics, not global energy markets.
Year-Over-Year Gas Rate Trends
Using actual billing data from White Plains, NY, here’s what we saw:
- Gas Supply Total per Therm
- October 2024: $0.61
- November 2025: $0.64
- Change: +4.9%
- Gas Delivery Total per Therm
- October 2024: $2.58
- November 2025: $2.94
- Change: +14.0%
That’s a modest bump in supply costs — but a significant increase in delivery charges, which now account for the bulk of your gas bill.
What Changed in Westchester?
In December 2023, Con Edison lifted its long-standing natural gas moratorium in Westchester County. This moratorium, in place since 2019, had restricted new gas hookups due to limited pipeline capacity. The reversal came after the Tennessee East 300 pipeline expansion added supply and demand forecasts eased.
While this allowed more customers to access gas, it didn’t lower delivery costs. In fact, Con Edison soon proposed double-digit rate hikes — 13.3% for gas — citing the need to fund infrastructure upgrades and system resilience. After pushback from local officials and municipalities, the final deal was a three-year rate plan with 2% annual increases for gas, starting in 2026.
Why Are Delivery Rates Rising So Fast?
The delivery rate spike isn’t just inflation — it’s structural:
- Infrastructure investments: Con Edison claims rising costs are tied to maintaining and upgrading pipelines and delivery systems.
- Local negotiations: Westchester municipalities pushed back hard, but the final settlement still allows for steady increases.
- Affordability programs: While Con Edison touts expanded discounts for low-income customers, these don’t offset the broader rate hikes for most households.
The Political Reality
It’s tempting to blame national politicians for high energy costs. But in Westchester, the real driver of your rising gas bill is local delivery pricing, shaped by New York State utility politics and Con Edison’s rate negotiations.
If you’re tracking your power bill and wondering why it’s ballooning, look beyond the supply line. The delivery system — and the politics behind it — are where the real costs are hiding.
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