Shrestha to hold town hall on public takeover of Central Hudson
A few days ago, the Public Service Commission approved yet another rate hike for Central Hudson customers:
“Central Hudson, which provides service to 315,000 electric customers and 90,000 gas customers in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, originally sought a base delivery revenue increase for the 12-months ending June 30, 2026, of $47.2 million — 8.8 percent delivery or 4.6 percent total revenue and $15.3 million — 9.4 percent delivery or 5.8 percent total revenue — for electric and gas, respectively. The joint proposal covers a three-year term through June 30, 2028.
The adopted joint proposal will result in an electric rate increase on a total bill basis for the average residential customer of 3.47 percent in the first year, 3.47 percent in the second year, and 3.23 percent in the third year. For an average residential gas customer, the increase will be 5.3 percent in the first year, 7.19 percent in the second year, and 7.27 percent in the third year.”
“This is precisely why we introduced the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act — to get rid of Central Hudson's investor-owners altogether and replace Central Hudson with a publicly-owned utility that is not for profit,” says New York State Assembly member Sarahana Shrestha.
Shrestha and New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey have introduced the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act to create “a state-owned corporation, the Hudson Valley Power Authority (HVPA), that is authorized to acquire Central Hudson and run it as a publicly-owned and democratic energy with no profit motive.”
“Companies like Fortis treat our energy system like it’s their piggy bank. Their subsidiaries like Central Hudson charge high rates and do little to prioritize our needs. It's time to take our power back and replace Central Hudson with a publicly-owned utility that charges low rates and invests in a resilient grid to provide energy as a public good. We can do this by passing our state bill, the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act (A2127 Shrestha/S2026 Hinchey).
With public ownership, we’ll take the energy system out of the greedy hands of corporate boardrooms, and put it in the hands of experts and the people who rely on it.”
On Thursday, August 21, Shrestha will hold a town hall discussing the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act at the Starr Library, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck. Doors open at 5:30pm, and the presentation will begin at 6pm, followed by an opportunity to ask Assemblymember Shrestha questions. RSVP
Another Hudson Valley Power Authority Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 6pm at the Rosendale Community Center. RSVP.
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