Cahill Prompts Second Round of Hearings on Central Hudson Rate Hikes

March 3, 2010

Kingston – After a direct appeal from Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has scheduled two public statement hearings regarding Central Hudson’s rate hike agreement that is now pending before Commission.

“The proposed Central Hudson rate hikes are inexcusable,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “We are all struggling right now and increases to our utility bills will make the current economic condition even worse. Raising utility rates beyond what is necessary to assure safe and reliable service is just unconscionable in these tough times. I encourage all rate payers to take advantage of these hearings to join me in my strong opposition to the increases.”

The public comment hearings were scheduled at the request of Assemblymember Cahill to address a settlement reached on February 3, 2010 between Central Hudson, Department of Public Service staff and a group comprised of the utilities largest customers. This agreement to raise gas and electric rates over a period of three years, also known as a “joint proposal” is currently being considered by the members of the Public Service Commission.

In a January 27, 2010 letter to PSC Chairman Garry A. Brown, Assemblymember Cahill wrote that “documents filed with the Commission in January indicate that a settlement resulting from confidential negotiations between the utility, the Department of Public Service and other stakeholders will be announced within the week. Should this settlement come to fruition, I would expect the Commission to schedule additional public statement hearings to allow ratepayers to react to the latest iteration of the proposed rate hike.”

The hearings will take place on Thursday, March 11, in Kingston and Poughkeepsie. The Kingston-area comment period takes place at 3:30pm in the Common Council chambers at Kingston City Hall, 420 Broadway. For directions to Kingston City Hall, call Assemblymember Cahill’s district office at (845) 338-9610 or City Hall at (845) 331-0080. Free parking is available behind the City Hall building.

The Poughkeepsie-area comment period takes place at 7:30pm in the Common Council chambers in the Poughkeepsie municipal building at 62 Civic Center Plaza, 3rd floor. For directions to the municipal building, call Assemblymember Cahill’s district office or the Poughkeepsie City Hall at (845) 451-4200. Free parking is available in the City Hall parking garage, also at 62 Civic Center Plaza.

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