On various social media platforms and in the news, people have been reporting receiving outrageously high electric bills from Central Hudson. They say that they are furious with Central Hudson and the use of the word “extortion” has been used frequently. Do you feel the same way? You aren’t alone. Thousands of residents in our county have reported exorbitant electric bills they’ve received this winter. In response to this outcry, on March 3rd, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan sent a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission insisting they officially investigate Central Hudson’s billing practices and related price surges. Impacted residents are urged to report complaints to the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) investigation and can do so online at https://on.ny.gov/3iOP2wk or by calling the Ulster County Recovery Service Center at (845) 443-8888. Reporting is important to help with the investigation, which may affect positive change, but what else can you do right now?
Well, if you keep Central Hudson as your energy supplier, you are voluntarily agreeing to accept their variable rates and unfair billing practices. Changing to an electric supplier with a fixed rate can help protect consumers from the extreme high prices that can occur with a variable rate like Central Hudson offers. To view fixed rate options, go to www.cenhud.com/en/my-energy/my-energy-options/energy-choice/energy-suppliers or wait until the Town of Gardiner accepts the rate offered by the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program offered by Hudson Valley Community Power. Either way, getting a fixed rate for your electric can spare you the pinch and pain from large swings in electric supply rates and may significantly lower the cost you pay for electric.