KINGSTON – When the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, the state implemented an electric and gas bill relief program for those customers who fell in arrears.
Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. now wants to add a surcharge on all customers’ bills to cover that cost.
But, State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan are opposed to that, telling the PSC the utility’s stockholders should pick up the tab.
“It’s pretty reprehensible that they would add even a single cent onto ratepayer bills when they can easily afford to cover the cost of this important debt relief program themselves, and the last thing that Hudson Valley families really need is another hit to their wallet,” Hinchey said.
On August 1, Central Hudson added a surcharge of 0.5 percent onto customer bills to help fund a year-long arrears reduction program.
Hinchey and Ryan said shareholders have only contributed about $200,000 toward the debt relief program, falling short of the more than $3 million to be recovered.
