KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan has submitted a letter to the Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) calling for an official investigation of Central Hudson’s billing practices and related price surges. Central Hudson has blamed software glitches as one reason for astronomical bills being sent out. The official request was sent to the PSC on Thursday.
Under the law, County Executive Pat Ryan has the legal authority to call for an investigation. In his letter, Ryan cited residents’ concerns ranging from not receiving bills for months, to extremely over-estimated bills, to large automatic withdrawals from consumers’ accounts without notice. As a result of the letter, the Public Service Commission is required to open a formal investigation into these practices.
“Residents have detailed a multitude of negative experiences…Further, the only explanation provided by Central Hudson has been to blame their new technology whilst disregarding the precarious and stressful situations they plunge their customers into,” Ryan said. “The failed implementation of Central Hudson’s new billing system compounded by unexpected and unprecedented bill surges has resulted in extensive damage to the confidence of our community as consumers, all of whom are without any other choice of provider for their utility needs.”
Central Hudson provides utility service to approximately 181,000 customers in Ulster County.
