When it comes to gas providers, New York City residents don’t have many options.

Those living in Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens receive service from Con Edison, while Brooklyn, Staten Island and other parts of Queens are served by National Grid.

But after an investigative report released by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) revealed that Con Edison may overcharge for essentially the same gas services provided by National Grid, residents in the East Village were quick to vocalize their frustration.


What You Need To Know

  • An investigative report released by Rep. Ritchie Torres revealed Con Edison may overcharge for the same gas services provided by National Grid

  • A spokesperson for Con Edison said the energy delivery rates can vary from utility to utility for various reasons

  • A rate hike was approved by the Public Service Commission last year, influenced by the costs of delivery and maintaining infrastructure

  • National Grid rates are also set to increase by $33 a month starting in September

“It isn’t like somebody’s gas is better than the other’s,” said Mark Peters. “I think it’s a ripoff.”

When asked if he would like to see a refund, East Village resident Anthony Hernandez said, “Of course, for sure. Hopefully, it’s backdated too and retroed.”

“A comparative analysis of the delivery charges of Con Ed and National Grid reveals egregious disparities between the two,” Torres said in a statement. “Two public utilities providing the same service in the same city should in theory have the same pricing. Yet in practice the prices vary, not marginally but massively, by more than 100%.”

A spokesperson for Con Edison said a rate hike approved by the Public Service Commission last year was influenced by the costs of delivery and maintaining infrastructure.

In a statement, Jamie McShane, Con Edison’s director of media relations, said the energy delivery rates can vary from utility to utility for various reasons, “including the level of service, customers’ needs, the characteristics of the area and when new rates take effect.”

Meanwhile, National Grid rates are also set to increase. The state Public Service Commission approved a three-year rate hike on Thursday that will raise average residential natural gas bills by $33 a month starting in September.

Torres has requested that the state Public Service Commission investigate the disparity in rates between Con Edison and National Grid.