Con Edison in New York City is not only keeping track of how it spends but also where and who benefits.
The utility tracked its investments in 2023 to identify whether spending is distributed among disadvantaged communities. Nearly half of Con Edison’s clean energy investments benefitted those communities, the utility said in a a first-of-its-kind report filed with the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The Investing in Disadvantaged Communities report, to be filed annually with the PSC, will provide the company, government officials, stakeholders, and the public with data to inform implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The 2023 data shows that customers in disadvantaged communities accounted for:
- 49% of Con Edison’s Clean Energy Spending investments
- 40% of the company’s strategic electric capital investments
- 31% of demand response program participants
- 32% of distributed energy resource projects
“We are deeply committed to investing in New York’s underserved communities and ensuring that every New Yorker shares in the benefits of a more sustainable grid,” said Matt Ketschke, president of Con Edison. “This report identifies the investments in disadvantaged communities, which make up nearly half of our customer base. In addition, more than half of the nearly 1,700 employees hired by Con Edison last year were from disadvantaged communities. We look forward to a conversation with stakeholders about our work to provide equitable and reliable service for all New Yorkers.”
Disadvantaged communities have been established by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group based on 45 indicators. Disadvantaged communities are communities that face environmental burdens or climate change risks or have population characteristics and health vulnerabilities that can contribute to more severe adverse effects of climate change.
