Con Edison customers may begin to see their gas and electric bills go up in January, and one local politician is speaking out against the increases in hope that a last-ditch effort will stop them.

According to Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, many businesses and residents in his district are concerned by the gas and electric company's proposal to increase the cost of services.

"I wrote to the Public Service Commission, and I'm calling on the Public Service Commission to reject this proposed rate hike," says Eichenstein.

The proposal calls for a total of 13.5% increase on electric bills over three years. In 2020, those rates go up by 4.2%.

Gas bills will also go up 25% in three years. In 2020, customers will see those bills go up by 7.56%.

"I do not believe these rate hikes are just at this time. I don't think New Yorkers can actually afford this," says Eichenstein.

The councilman says Con Ed should be able to first prove that it is capable of meeting the service needs of the customers it serves before a hike is considered.

Con Edison told News 12 in a statement the hike "will allow for approximately $3 billion per year in electric and gas infrastructure investments to continue providing New Yorkers with safe and reliable service, while building the path to renewable energy and a cleaner environment."

It added that a part of that money will be used for energy-efficiency programs that are expected to help people reduce usage and save money.

A vote by the New York State Public Service Commission in late January will determine the final outcome. If approved, it would go into effect immediately.