The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act is a direct threat to our community. I work at Central Hudson, but I’m also a customer. I rely on my power to be both reliable and affordable, just like everyone else. That’s why this proposal is so concerning.
If state government takes over Central Hudson, there’s no guarantee those basic needs will be met. The significant cost of a takeover would ultimately fall on taxpayers and customers.
Currently, Central Hudson provides significant revenue in the form of property taxes, which funds our public schools, emergency services, and other critical local needs would instead be diverted to support a government-run utility. The state would also struggle to provide the level of investment needed to maintain and upgrade our energy infrastructure and keep service reliable.
On top of that, Central Hudson is an integral part of the local economy. It employs more than 1,300 people in our region and contributes nearly $2.6 billion in economic impact. Disrupting those jobs would have ripple effects beyond just utility service.
We all want a system that works better for customers. But replacing it with something untested and costly puts both affordability and reliability at risk. That’s a gamble the Hudson Valley can’t afford to take.
— Julia Castellanos, A Central Hudson worker and ratepayer