A settlement has been reached to lower Con Edison's proposed rate hikes in Westchester.

Con Edison customers in Westchester say they're bracing for higher bills in the new year.

Chris Bradbury, from the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, says the concern led to the creation of the Westchester Municipal Consortium.

"We had 40 out of the 41 communities that have Con Edison. We had all of them join as a consortium, as equal members, all on the same page... to protect the residents in our communities," Bradbury says.

Organizers say their efforts helped secure a three-year settlement agreement that significantly reduces the proposed rate hikes.

"Much, much less. You know, on the total bill, it's 2.8% increase on the electric and 2% on the gas," Bradbury says.

Originally, Con Edison proposed a 13.4% increase for electricity and a 19% increase for gas.

"This is a very difficult time, and expenses are very high for people, so the rates that we've seen in recent years was very concerning," Bradbury says.

Organizers say the agreement runs from Jan. 1 through December 2028.

Some call it a win, while people like State Sen. Pete Harckham says it's still too much. "This is still a 7% increase over three years. We should be talking zero right now," Harckham says.

A spokesperson for Con Edison says they are "acutely aware of the issue of affordability."

Members of the consortium now have to submit formal comments to the state's Public Service Commission.

Then the commission has to review the proposal before it makes a final decision.