KINGSTON – Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation weeks ago unveiled its proposed rate hike requests that if approved would take effect in June 2024, but there is already opposition mounting.
State Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D, Esopus) will be holding seven town hall sessions across her district on the topic of energy democracy. Each will include why she said corporate utilities run our energy system, how people can get involved in stopping Central Hudson’s rate increases and “ways we can come together to democratize our energy system.”
The sessions will be held in Rhinebeck, Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Woodstock, Olive and Esopus.
Former State Senator Sue Serino, a Republican who is running for Dutchess County executive, is calling on Central Hudson and the State Public Service Commission to hold an in-person listening tour to address concerns about the proposed rate increases.
Joe Jenkins, Central Hudson’s director of media relations, said the proposed rate plan “is the start of an 11-month process that requires approval by our regulators at the Public Service Commission and includes extensive review by both our regulators and other interested stakeholders.” He said the process will also include virtual public hearings that will provide residents to voice their concerns.
He said the utility’s proposal “calls for significant investments to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure so that we can continue to provide safe and reliable service while also completing much-needed work to help transition to a cleaner energy system.”
Jenkins said their goal “is to arrive at a rate plan that balances our customers’ need for reliable electric and natural gas service that is also affordable.”
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply