NEWBURGH – State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) has called on the state Public Service Commission to schedule more public hearings before it rules on Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation’s requested electric and natural gas delivery rate increases.
The lawmaker expects the PSC to issue its decision later this summer, and he wants hearings held before then.
“They are not going to have any right now, so I want them to have in person and virtual hearings before the final decision,” he said.
Central Hudson requested to increase electric rates by 27.5 percent and 33.2 percent for gas.
Two administrative law judges recommended rate increases of 16.7 percent for electric and 21.8 percent for gas.
“Central Hudson has cooperated with the Department of Public Service and other interested parties as our proposed rate case has been under review for nearly a year. Central Hudson’s rate case has been vetted in open and transparent hearings for multiple weeks while employees and the Staff of the department of Public Service have testified in front of administrative law judges regarding the critical investments that must be made to continue providing the Mid-Hudson Valley with safe and reliable electric and natural gas service,” said Central Hudson spokesman Joseph Jenkins. “We await the Commissioners’ decision on this matter.”
The company has previously indicated that the rate increases are necessary to increase reliability and comply with New York’s climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Central Hudson is one of several utilities throughout the state who have submitted rate cases in recent years.
