Something’s gotta give. Central Hudson customers have been dealing with skyrocketing rates, billing chaos, and a total lack of accountability. Thousands of people have been overcharged, and instead of real solutions, we keep getting excuses. But what if we didn’t have to rely on a private utility that puts profits over people?
That’s exactly what New York State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha is pushing for in the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act—a plan to take Central Hudson into public ownership and create a utility that actually works for the people it serves. She breaks it all down in a recent episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, hosted by John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
The vision? A public utility that prioritizes affordability, clean energy, and energy democracy. No more profit-hungry investors calling the shots—just a system designed to serve us, the residents of the Hudson Valley. A publicly owned utility could access tax-exempt financing, cut out unnecessary fees, and focus on reliable, affordable, and renewable energy for all.
This isn’t just an idea—it’s a movement. If we want energy that is just, affordable, and sustainable, we have to demand it.
Listen to the full podcast episode here and join the fight for energy democracy in the Hudson Valley.