Laura Cadorette of Jackson Heights removed her air conditioner this summer, bought dozens of energy efficient lightbulbs and does everything she can to conserve energy. Yet she says her Con Edison utilities bill still keeps going up.

“I was outraged by the fact that I had spent a lot of money and a lot of time trying to decrease my electric bill, and it seems like no matter what you do, your electric bill goes up,” said Cadorette.

Con Ed’s supply costs are going up this month, meaning consumers will see an increase of 20 percent in their bills, following a rate increase in April.

So Cadorette joined a protest in Jackson Heights lead by political leaders calling on Con Ed to stop raising prices and start improving service.

“When you look at blackout after blackout, people dying from getting electrocuted walking down the street, explosions of steam pipes, it’s very clear they are mismanaging the money they are taking from us,” said Queens Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.

But in a statement to NY1, Con Ed said, “This issue has to do with higher fuel costs, not Con Edison. Elected officials would serve their constituents more effectively and help lower electric bills by working to bring down the cost of natural gas and oil -- and taxes.”

Con Ed is trying to help customers understand why their energy costs are going up, and put an insert in this month’s bill that cites rising gas and oil costs as causing the 22 percent rate increase.

Cadorette, like others at the rally, is not convinced.

“I want to see the Public Service Commission monitor Con Ed more efficiently and not allow them to continue these pass-throughs to consumers,” said Cadorette.

Along with the rally, protesters started a postcard campaign, gathering signatures on the street to send their message to Con Ed.