Comments wanted: Central Hudson wants to increase delivery rates, again
On several Hudson Valley community forums across the internet, there are usually two general themes: asking where to hike/live/eat, and complaining about Central Hudson’s exorbitant gas and electric charges. Now comments are wanted – in person– as Central Hudson is looking to increase rates for its customers once again.
Central Hudson, the major supplier of gas and electric in the Hudson Valley – and only choice for many residents – is seeking to “increase its electricity delivery revenues by approximately $47 million and its gas delivery revenues by approximately $15 million.”
For customers, that means an average rise in electricity bills by 5.3-percent and a 5.9-percent rise in gas delivery charges.
The company says the increases are necessary for: “the replacement of aging or obsolete infrastructure; labor costs, including the need to hire staff to focus on protecting its critical infrastructure systems from cybersecurity threats; and increases in uncollectable expenses related to growth in customer arrears.”
Last summer, the state Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a rate hike of 5.5-percent and 7.3-percent for gas, which expire at the end of June. Due to this public comment period, these new rate hikes would take effect for customers in September, if approved. In February of this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on the PSC to reject an “unconscionable request to increase electricity rates by 11.4 percent and natural gas rates by 13.3 percent” proposed by ConEdison, but did not mention Central Hudson.
The New York State Department of Public Service Commission will be holding several public hearings this week for customers to weigh in on the proposed delivery rate changes.
Central Hudson public hearings:
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1pm at Catskill Town Hall, 439 Main Street, Catskill
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 5:30pm at the Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment, 733 Broadway, Kingston
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 1pm at 1 Overocker Road, Poughkeepsie
No registration or appointments are needed to attend or comment at the hearings. Those wishing to comment will be called to speak after completing a request card.
Each public statement hearing will be held open for at least thirty minutes or until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record.
For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing, comments may be made via phone, internet or mail. Comments should refer to “Case 24-E-0461 – Central Hudson” or “Case 24-G-0462 – Central Hudson.” All comments must be received by July 31, 2025.
To comment online, go to https://www.dps.ny.gov , click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “24-E-0461” or “24-G-0462” in the box labelled “Search by Case Number,” and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top right of the page.
Comments may also be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350; however, electronic filing of comments is strongly encouraged. All written comments submitted to the Secretary will be posted on the Department’s website and will become part of the record of the proceeding in which they are posted. Please be advised that untimely comments may not be considered by the Commission. Comments may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case numbers, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.
Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed, but a summary is provided to the Commission.
Further case-related information:
Case 24-E-0461 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation for Electric Service.
Case 24-G-0462 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation for Gas Service.
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