Hudson Valley Lawmakers Call for Public Power Authority

Amid ongoing billing problems for utility provider Central Hudson’s customers, two Hudson Valley elected officials are introducing a bill to make the utility public.

Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and state Sen. Michelle Hinchey are sponsoring the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act, which would take the private utility company and place it under the control of a public community institution.

The hope is that such a change would reduce costs and billing errors, like the kind of situation Barrytown resident Susan Quasha says she’s had for three years.

“Very stressful. It was, you know, I felt like I was really sick,” said Quasha, a Central Hudson customer. “Just the thought that I should, you know, try to get through, try to get on the phone… I think I spent almost 20 hours on the phone with them.

This comes during an investigation into Central Hudson’s billing practices.

At the same time, the Public Service Commission approved a rate increase requested by the company.

Shrestha said there is already a lot of popular support for a public authority.

“People inherently feel that energy is such a fundamental good, something that they need, that it really shouldn’t be monopolized by profiteers,” she said.

In a statement, Central Hudson said in part: “Municipalization of public services is not the best option for the communities we serve. The facts show that municipalization of public services is not the best option for the communities we serve. The government’s proposed takeover of electric and gas utility operations in the Hudson Valley raises serious concerns, including significant hidden costs, job losses and lost tax revenue for cities and schools. »