Con Edison seeks N.Y. power rate hike for 2009

NEW YORK, May 9 (Reuters) - Consolidated Edison Inc (ED.N: Quote, Profile, Research) filed two proposals with New York regulators seeking to raise power bills for 2009 and beyond to cover rising equipment costs, infrastructure improvements and energy efficiency programs, the company said in a release Friday.

The first plan seeks $654 million in additional electric delivery revenues, resulting in a 5.8 percent average increase in total customer bills or a 15.4 percent increase in delivery charges.

Con Edison also proposed an alternative three-year rate plan that would raise annual revenue by $557 million, increasing total bills by 4.9 percent in each of the next three years. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by John Picinich)