Utilities

CLP closely monitors utility actions and policies as a community-based organization working to create a locally-based clean energy economy. We participate in rate cases and state-level regulatory proceedings with the goal of protecting ratepayers, keeping energy costs down and supporting opportunities for residents and businesses in the Mid-Hudson region to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy ownership and clean energy development.

 

2020 Central Hudson Rate Case

As a non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities in the mid-Hudson region transition to a locally-based clean energy economy, CLP sought in this rate case to address issues of significant impact to our municipalities, residents, and small businesses. Some of our victories in the Central Hudson Rate Case are listed down below.

Rate Decrease in the First Year: CLP welcomes the unusual rate decrease that Central Hudson’s customers will experience during Year I of the new three-year rate period. It is surely appropriate given the devastating impacts of the pandemic on individuals’ and businesses ability to pay

Spanish Website & Billing: We raised the issue of language accessibility and welcome the company’s explicit commitment to provide Spanish-language informational materials and bills to its customers who require them. As detailed in Appendix Z of the Joint Proposal, Central Hudson is committed to translating its website into Spanish by December 31, 2022

Gas Sales Targeting a Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: As part of the Joint Settlement, Central Hudson has committed to developing a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan

History:

In 2018, Citizens for Local Power teamed up with other advocates and actually made Central Hudson reduce its basic service change – what you pay before you use a single watt of electricity – for the first time in history. We also helped keep the overall rate increases lower than they would have been.

IN THE NEWS

state legislators and climate advocates demand NYS public service commission must stop utility shut-offs & cancel utility debt

state legislators and climate advocates demand NYS public service commission must stop utility shut-offs & cancel utility debt

Crushing utility debt is the pandemic's next crisis

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Latest Updates

Featured
Delivery rates will go down in Year 1
Delivery rates will go down in Year 1
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In Central Hudson Rate Case, Environmental Advocates Make Gains - Fuel Reductions, Language Access Improvements, and Rate Hike
In Central Hudson Rate Case, Environmental Advocates Make Gains - Fuel Reductions, Language Access Improvements, and Rate Hike
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EXTEND THE MORATORIUM!
EXTEND THE MORATORIUM!
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Utility Justice Film Festival & Speakout
Utility Justice Film Festival & Speakout
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Tell New York State DON'T RAISE OUR RATES!
Tell New York State DON'T RAISE OUR RATES!

Join your neighbors and community organizations, including Citizens for Local Power, Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson, Sane Energy Project, RUPCO, and Alliance for a Green Economy, at the online hearing on October 28, and tell the Public Service Commission why you object to the rate hikes.

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2018 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report

With environmental protections being rolled back at the federal level, now more than ever it’s clear that lasting change needs to come from the ground up. Combining research, education, advocacy, and project coordination, CLP supports community and municipal engagement in energy decision-making, transforming energy policy and practice to strengthen local economies, mitigate climate change and increase resilience. Given the increasing pace of global warming, 2018 was a busy year for us.

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Storage breakthrough on Federal and State Rules (could be a game-changer)

Earlier this year the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) earned our praise for two decisions. To the surprise of many observers, it firmly declined to implement an order from Energy Secretary Rick Perry to subsidize coal and nuclear generation (supposedly for ‘resilience,” but in reality to help a few large corporations), and it also ordered all states to adopt rules that allow storage to compete fairly with other energy services. 

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Ulster Green Business Challenge Lifts Off on June 27

On Wednesday, June 27, businesses, organizations, and municipalities are invited to the launch and vendor show that will kick off the Ulster County Green Business Challenge.

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Central Hudson Rate Case Victory Lowers Fixed Rates

Every few years, each utility has to ask the Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve a rate increase. The hand-in-glove nature of relations between the PSC and the utilities – private, shareholder-owned companies operating as regulated monopolies – often means that the utilities get pretty much what they want. But when CLP and other grass-roots and environmental organizations get into the act, we can make things happen.

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