ALBANY – A series of public hearings opened Tuesday for Central Hudson to raise rates for its electric and gas service.
Central Hudson wants to raise $139.5 million for its electric delivery service or 16.4 percent in total revenue, and the money would be used to help replace aging infrastructure, finance its enhanced low-income and energy efficient heat pump programs, increased labor costs and recovery from major storms and extreme weather.
The utility wants to raise an additional $41.5 million or 29.2 percent and a 19 percent in total income for its natural gas delivery service. The rate increase would be used to finance its low-income, energy efficiency programs, increased labor costs and additional investments to eliminate leak-prone pipes.
“Actual bill impacts with these proposed changes on any particular customer will vary based on revenue allocations and rate design,” said Ashley Moreno, administrative law judge, who moderated Tuesday’s virtual hearing.
An unidentified caller, with a since resolved billing issue with the utility, was against the rate hikes and feared their impacts on customers.
“We as individuals never get a 16 or 19 percent pay increase across the board. Everything is going up, and you’re driving seniors out of their homes,” she said. “I don’t feel a rate increase, to the magnitude of what they want, to fair to us as people, no matter if we are in an apartment or owning our own home because it’s going to drive more people out of their homes. I am totally against this.”
Under state law, the Public Service Commission must adopt or reject this rate hike proposal in whole or part or modify it.
The next public hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 20 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. via www.webex.com.
Ulster County has also secured a commitment from the PSC to conduct in-person public hearings.
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply