Orange & Rockland Powers New York and New Jersey’s Economic Growth with $2.4 Billion Impact in 2025

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) today released its 2025 Economic Impact Study, revealing O&R generated $2.4 billion in total economic output in its service territory. The findings show the company’s massive role in powering the local economies of New York and New Jersey, supporting job growth, and investing in the infrastructure that keeps businesses and homes in the service territory churning with reliable and resilient energy.

The study, which was conducted by HR&A Advisors, highlights O&R as one of the largest economic drivers in the company’s service area.

“This report shows that our commitment to powering the region goes beyond the grid—it’s an investment in people, jobs, and shared prosperity,” said Michele O’Connell, O&R president and CEO. “Generating $2.4 billion in economic activity is just one piece of the story. We are also investing equitably in local infrastructure and creating stable, long-term careers for the New Yorkers and New Jerseyans we are proud to serve every day. We know that our success is built on working hand-in-hand with the families, businesses, and communities we are privileged to serve every day.”

Key Highlights

• $2.4 billion in total economic output — one percent of the O&R service territory’s gross domestic product (GDP), and 33 percent (over $400 million) more than 2024.
• 3,920 jobs supported (a nine percent increase since 2022), or one in 375 jobs in our service territory.
• 96 percent of O&R's employees live in New York or New Jersey. Approximately 88 percent graduated from New York- or New Jersey-based colleges and universities, and nearly half of all O&R employees are union members (almost 2.6 times the energy industry average).
• $186 million spent on contracts with New York and New Jersey businesses, helping to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid.
• $70 million spent on contracts with small businesses (a 105 percent increase since 2022), which represents nearly half of all O&R contracts in New York and New Jersey.
• $23 million invested in clean energy and electric-infrastructure improvements directly benefiting disadvantaged communities, comprising 37 percent of total program spending.
• $23 million provided to reduce the bills of 17,000 low-income customers through the Energy Affordability Program (EAP).
• $196 million paid in taxes and fees in both states, up nearly six percent since the prior year, and enough to pay the salaries of 2,350 public school teachers or 2,650 social workers in the region.
• $101 million in local taxes contributed to the counties included in the O&R service territory (a 12 percent increase since last year):
• $60 million to Rockland County
• $37 million to Orange County
• $1.8 million to Sullivan County
• $686K to Bergen County
• $36K to Passaic County

Looking Ahead 

Read the full report here. 

About O&R

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. O&R is a regulated utility that provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange and Rockland Utilities) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company), and natural gas service to approximately 140,000 customers in New York.