Kingston, NY – The Administrative Law Judges overseeing the Central Hudson rate case have released a 590-page long Recommended Decision that recommends the PSC to allow some rate increases to Central Hudson’s electric and gas delivery rates be permitted, though not to the extent the Company had requested.

“Parties intervening in the rate case, such as our office, will have three weeks to write a brief that takes exception to the recommendation, and this will be a good monthfor the public to continue postingpublic comments,” said Shrestha, “However, the Public Service Commission has not ordered any public hearings, and we call on the Commission to do so throughout the service territory with in-person options, includingin the City of Kingston. We learned the value of having in-person hearings when the rate increases were first requested, particularly when the Company explained during the evidentiary hearing that they had followed up with ratepayers who spoke at the in-person hearings, but not those who spoke at the virtual ones. Turnout at the in-person hearings was also higher than at the virtual ones. In the meantime, digital comments can be submitted through our office by visiting: https://bit.ly/central-hudson-story”

“We’re also concerned about final termination notices that the Company has phased in, starting with the Kingston Division that includes most of Ulster County, and resumption of late fees that’s potentially on the horizon starting August. The judges recommend the PSC to allow collection activities to resume,” said Shrestha, “Our office met with Central Hudson this week and suggested expanding their outreach events to include all income levels, not just low-income, and to host some specifically on the topic of termination notices. In-person events would be a good way to resolve some of the bills that customers are still not convinced are correct.

In the absence of a democratic energy system, ratepayers have very little protection from the type of increases that are being recommended, and at the very least we need public hearings to have their voices heard before the PSC makes a decision to permit any rate increase.”