I’m a 16 year CentralHudson employee, and every day my team and I work to keep the gas flowing andthe lights on in the Hudson Valley. Now, a bill in Albany threatens to shut thedoor on my future and the futures of more than 1,300 of my coworkers. TheHudson Valley Power Authority Act, proposed by Assemblymember Shrestha andSenator Hinchey, is a direct threat to the jobs, communities, andinfrastructure we’ve spent generations building.
My co-workers andI have a profound duty to serve the Hudson Valley. We work closely with IBEW Local320 and many local businesses to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable service.That didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be preserved by politicians with noexperience in our industry.The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act provides nosustainable plan for the transition. Personally, I have attended theinformation sessions and Assemblymember Shrestha’s speaks with authority duringher presentations, but her facts are bias and riddled with opinions. A government takeover would cost taxpayersbillions while delivering less. Government-run utilities in New York alreadycharge more and underinvest in infrastructure, leaving customers with higherbills, weaker service, and fewer good jobs.
Central Hudsonisn’t just a utility—it’s an economic engine. Each year, it contributes about$2.6 billion that supports schools, police and fire departments, and vitallocal services.
I work hard tosupport my family and my community. This bill doesn’t protect our future; itputs it in jeopardy.
Sincerely,
Brianna C. Peak, P.E.