ITEM #1: Consolidated Edison’s new rates go into effect today and the average increase in New York City is expected to be $6 a month. State regulators approved a 6.1 percent hike last month.

The Public Service Commission says more than half of the $721 million increase will be used to pay for Con Ed’s higher property taxes and assessments that go toward energy conservation initiatives.

The hike comes after the PSC approved a nearly five percent rate hike in March of last year.

ITEM #2: Nearly 9,000 property owners who owe property taxes or water bills have until the end of the day to resolve their debt or qualify for an exemption. If not, the city will sell liens on their properties to a third party.

This affects homeowners with property tax debt of at least $1,000 that is three years old, or $1,000 in water charges dating back at least a year. Commercial property owners are at risk if they have any outstanding taxes or water charges older than one year.

A list of at-risk properties is available on the Department of Finance’s website, nyc.gov/dof.

(Source: NYC Press Releases / Con Ed / NY1)