Today's Poughkeepsie Journal and Mid-HudsonNews.com are reporting that Central Hudson is now literally making over 88% more in profit now than it was making a year ago-- yet it still wants another rate hike-- on top of the one that went into effect July 1st when the NYS Public Service Commission allowed Central Hudson to raise electricity delivery rates 8.5% and natural gas delivery rates 23.5%:
"CH Energy Group's Earnings Up 88.9% But Company Seeks Rate Hike" by Craig Wolf
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20091027/BUSINESS/910270329/CH-Energy-Group-s-earings-up-88.9--but-company-seeks-rate-hike
"CH Energy, Central Hudson Post Earnings Increases"
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/October09/26/CHG&E_earn-26Oct09.htm ...
So-- join us if you can today for a press conference on this at the main entrance to Central Hudson's headquarters at 284 South Ave. in Poughkeepsie-- if you're as tired of being gouged by CH as I am!...
Central Hudson made $35 million in profits in '08; now trying to get blood from stone from local folks...
Thanks to my colleagues in our County Legislature for passing the resolution a bit below from yours truly in Aug.-- and even one from me before that in April-- to send message to NYS Public Service Commission: no to CH rate hike (kudos as well to T/Poughkeepsie Supervisor Pat Myers on this too)...
[see: http://dutchessdemocracy.blogspot.com/2009/08/help-stop-newly-proposed-central-hudson.html ]
Sign http://www.PetitionOnline.com/FairRate ; 98 local folks on board; I've led charge on this since '05...
Recall results of Aug. 1st SpeakUp poll in Pok. Journal re: Central Hudson newly proposed rate hike-- by a whopping 535-to-85 margin the overwhelming majority of local folks said NO to new rate hike...
[also-- remember "Hein Opposes Central Hudson Rate Hike" (Daily Freeman August 4th):
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/08/04/news/doc4a7785a9e228f538376731.txt ]
Note-- comments about Central Hudson's proposed rate hike can be made by phone at (800) 335-2120 or submitted via the Internet by filling out "PSC Comment Form” that can be found in the “Consumer Assistance” area of the PSC's Web site-- http://www.dps.state.ny.us !...
Comments also can be made by mail to Jaclyn A. Brilling, secretary, Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, N.Y. 12223-1350...you can also view file documents at http://www.dps.state.ny.us and click "Commission Documents"...
Also-- don't be afraid to hold Gov. Paterson and state legislators accountable; call (877) 255-9417...
Finally-- again-- if you can make it on your lunch hour-- hope to see y'all today noon at CH HQ in Pok.!...
[pass it on]
Joel
242-3571/876-2488
joeltyner@earthlink.net
p.s. thx tons to Rhinebeck's Jeff Romano (and Time-Warner Cable 6) for comin' out to yesterday's press conference!...(but the work goes on-- and CH's unbridled and rapacious greed re: rate hike too much-- so come out come out wherever you are today to join us for this, folks)...
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From today's Poughkeepsie Journal...
CH Energy Group's earnings up 88.9% but company seeks rate hike
CRAIG WOLF • POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27, 2009
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20091027/BUSINESS/910270329/CH-Energy-Group-s-earings-up-88.9--but-company-seeks-rate-hike
[see link for entire article-- includes Central Hudson execs bemoaning "uncollectibles"(!)...disgusting]
Earnings at CH Energy Group are back on an upward track, largely because of a rate increase for its main subsidiary, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp...Earnings for CH Energy Group were 34 cents a share for the third quarter, a gain of 16 cents over the same period in 2008 when earnings were 18 cents a share, the company reported. It's a gain of 88.9 percent.
[Central Hudson had a] net increase of quarterly operating income of 73.6 percent from 2008 to this year. The bottom line, after other expenses such as income taxes, was $5.3 million, a gain of 85.5 percent over the same quarter in 2008.
The company's current rate-increase request with the Public Service Commission, to take effect in July, asks for a 12.3 percent increase in electric delivery rates, and a 5.8 percent increase for gas. That's not counting taxes and special charges that appear on customers' bills, and not counting the supply charge, which is usually the bigger part of the bill.
Central Hudson has said delivery charges on electricity bills will rise about $3.46 a month for an average customer and will rise $3.97 a month for delivery of natural gas, if the plan is approved.
Central Hudson benefited from the higher delivery rates for power and natural gas that went into effect July 1 and from a new fiscal mechanism designed to compensate for the rising number of accounts that generate some of their own solar power or that do other forms of conservation.
In a statement, Steven Lant, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said that Central Hudson...filed for raises July 31 and the case is before the state Public Service Commission, which is gathering evidence on the proposal.
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Today from http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/October09/26/CHG&E_earn-26Oct09.htm ...
CH Energy, Central Hudson post earnings increases
POUGHKEEPSIE – CH Energy Group, the parent company of Central Hudson Gas & Electric, posted earnings of 34 cents per share during the third quarter of 2009, 16 cents higher than those of the same period last year. Year-to-date earnings were $1.71, 20 cents higher than the same nine months of 2008. At the same time, third-quarter earnings at Central Hudson were 55 cents per share, up 18 cents from the third quarter of last year. “After two years of declining profitability at Central Hudson Gas & Electric, our largest subsidiary, we have begun to see a welcome recovery of our earnings to a level that should allow us to attract the investment capital needed to meet the needs of our utility customers,” said Chairman, President and CEO Steven Lant. Year-to-date, the utility posted $1.39 in earnings per share, up four cents over the same period last year. Lant said the positive effect on year-to-date earnings of the rate orders that took effect July 1, 2009 and July 1, 2008, as well as lower storm restoration expenses, was largely offset by higher expenses and lower sales.
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[text here below of resolution I got passed in our County Legislature in August-- ignored by local media]
WHEREAS, CH Energy Group, the parent of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. of Poughkeepsie, recently announced that the utility will soon ask for its second rate increase in as many years to go into effect in June next year, complaining of “inadequate revenues”, even though CH Energy Group has made tens of millions of dollars annually in profits for many years, including $35 million in profits last year, and
WHEREAS, CH Energy Group's vice president of accounting Kimberly Wright was quoted in the Poughkeepsie Journal recently as stating that Central Hudson was seeing "higher uncollectible expenses as more customers struggled to pay their bills”, and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's newly proposed rate hike, if approved by our state's Public Service Commission, would generate an additional $15.2 million in revenues from the delivery of electricity and an additional $3.9 million in revenues from the delivery of natural gas by raising the average residential electric customer's bill by $3.46 a month and the average natural gas customer's bill by $3.97 a month, and
WHEREAS, the increases proposed by Central Hudson would affect nearly 300,000 customers of all classes, including about 252,000 residential electric accounts and about 62,600 residential gas services, and
WHEREAS, Dutchess County taxpayers paid $741,655 to Central Hudson last year for power as a part of the county budget alone; Central Hudson's proposed rate hike will further drive up county property taxes, school property taxes, town property taxes, village property taxes, city property taxes, fire property taxes, and library property taxes, and
WHEREAS, families, businesses and local governments in Dutchess County are still reeling from the effects of one of the worst financial crises in our nation's history; we've all had to make painful sacrifices, and we expect Central Hudson to do the same and forgo this proposed rate hike, and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Kevin Cahill has stated that, "this is a time for Central Hudson and all of our utilities to be tightening their belts, not socking it to the ratepayers"; Ulster County Executive Michael Hein has also publicly gone on record as opposing the application of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. for a new round of increases to the fees the utility charges for delivery of electricity and natural gas, and
WHEREAS, the Dutchess County Legislature and Poughkeepsie Town Board have both passed resolutions earlier this year in opposition to Central Hudson's last rate hike, but it is necessary for the Dutchess County Legislature to weigh in again on this, as Central Hudson's recent filing for a rate hike is just a month after Central Hudson raised electricity delivery rates by 8.5 percent and natural gas delivery rates by 23.5 percent; those hikes, requested last year by the utility and approved in mid-June, took effect on July 1, and therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Legislature requests that the New York State Public Service Commission reject Central Hudson's newly proposed rate hike, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the New York State Public Service Commission, Governor David Paterson, and Dutchess County's delegation of state legislators.
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Recall: G.O.P. Orange Co. Exec Ed Diana and Dem Ulster County Exec Michael Hein agreed April 8th...
As the economy continues to weaken, county officials in the Mid-Hudson remain, for the most part, opposed to any [Central Hudson] rate hike. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said he doesn't support any increase. “I believe any rate hike in this environment for the people of Ulster County is too much,” he said. “It is critically important that people find ways to cut costs to protect the people of Ulster County.” Orange County Executive Edward Diana said even with the reduced rates, they would “represent a burden for our seniors and citizens who are being challenged by the depths of this national recession.”
[see: http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/April09/08/CH_PSC-08Apr09.html ]
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Thanks again to Clinton's Doug Smyth (douglassmyth@optonline.net) for this recent letter to all 25 of us at countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us-- "Central Hudson rates should not be raised. Period. Don't let them. Let them soak up some of those profits from last year; let the management take a pay cut. Let them prove that they are as efficient as low-priced as a publicly owned utility"...
[check out Doug's great blog if you haven't yet @ http://www.Roman-Empire-America-Now.com ]
Thanx as well to Clinton's Carol Valentine (carolfred.valentine@gmail.com) for sharing these sentiments as well with all 25 of us (with email to countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us)-- "It is unconscionable that Central Hudson take advantage of its monopolistic position to soak rate payers at the proposed 15% + rate increase. After the recent disastrous power loss, this public utility needs to get its house in order before more money is thrown at it"...
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Recall Reuters report Feb. 12th confirming Central Hudson pulled in $11 million in profits last quarter...
[see http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS163713+12-Feb-2009+BW20090212 ]
CH Energy Group Posts 2008 Earnings Results
Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:00am EST
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.--(Business Wire)-- Annual earnings for CH Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:CHG) totaled $2.22 per share in 2008...the Company had projected 2008 earnings of between $2.02 - $2.27 per share...Steven V. Lant, Chairman of the Board, President and C.E.O...."outstanding financial position...we protected the best interests of shareholders..."
CH ENERGY GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
December 31, 2008 December 31, 2007
Net Income $11,225,000 $11,420,000
Copyright Business Wire 2009
[see much more detail on this @ http://biz.yahoo.com/e/090210/chgel.ob10-k.html ]
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From http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/76/764/76406/items/288817/CHG041808.pdf ...
[CH Energy Group's 2007 Financial and Statistical Report]
2007 $42,636,000 in pure profit
2006 $43,084,000 in pure profit
2005 $44,291,000 in pure profit
2004 $42,423,000 in pure profit
2003 $43,985,000 in pure profit
2002 $41,281,000 in pure profit
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Did you know that Central Hudson made over $30 million in pure profit annually for last seven years?
Did you know this hike will drive up county taxes, school taxes, town taxes, and fire taxes even more?
Did you know that CH Energy Group now serves customers in ten states and Washington, D.C.?
Did you know that "residential customers of investor-owned utilities pay average rates that are 14 percent above those paid by customers of publicly owned utilities"?
[Amer. Public Power/Public Power Costs Less http://www.appanet.org/files/PDFs/ppcostsless2006.pdf ]
Anyone else out there remember how back in the fall of '03, in the wake of the August '03 blackout, I actually convinced Co. Leg. Minority Leader Roger Higgins/Dem caucus to call for at least a feasibility study regarding possibility of a switch to locally owned public power/utility?...I had gotten a ton of folks from around county to sign on to effort for this after many locally owned public utilities did NOT lose their power during that Aug. 03 blackout-- and Poughkeepsie Journal had recently run a front-page article describing how locally owned public utilities like the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities routinely sell electricity to their residents at literally about half the price Central Hudson was...
Go to http://www.APPAnet.org -- as noted above, fact is that public power utilities' power is cheaper...
see: http://archive.pulp.tc/html/new_rules_fail_to_create_cheap.html http://www.JamestownBPU.com ...
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From http://www.appanet.org/pressroom/index.cfm?ItemNumber=17991&navItemNumber=21050 ...
American Public Power Association-- Frequently Asked Questions
Contacts: communicationsdept@APPAnet.org or 202/ 467-2900
1. What is "public power"?
Public power utilities are not-for-profit electric systems owned and operated by the people they serve through a local or state government. Here's the breakdown: 1,843 of the 2,010 are operated by cities and towns; 109 are operated by political subdivisions, such as public utility districts; 43 are joint action agencies (a consortium of public power systems, usually located within a single state); and 15 are utilities established by states.
2. How do public power rates compare with other utilities?
Public power costs less, due to its not-for-profit nature and efficient management and operation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, investor-owned utility residential rates are 14% above those of public power utilities. Investor-owned commercial rates are 9% higher. See APPA's Web page on "Public Power Costs Less" and "Utility Rate Comparison By State" for details.
3. How does public power contribute financially to its communities?
In addition to lower rates, public power systems also provide payments and contributions to state and local governments in the form of property-like taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, and transfers to the general fund. They also provide free or reduced cost services to cities and states. APPA's "Payments and Contributions of Public Power Distribution Utilities to State and Local Governments" shows that public power pays about 5.0% of its electric operating revenues to its cities and states - 19% higher than revenues and fees private power companies paid.
4. How much of the nation's electricity generation does public power own?
About 645 public power systems own and operate generating plants, and collectively account for 9.8% of the nation's electric generating capacity. About 27% of public power's generating capacity is powered by coal, 36% by gas, 19% by water, 9% by nuclear, and 8% by oil. Almost 1% comes from other resources, such as wind power. See APPA's Web pages with more statistics on utility generation.
5. Which is the largest public power system?
In terms of the number of customers served, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, with 1.4 million customers, is the largest municipally owned system. About 1,400 public power systems serve towns with populations of less than 10,000 people. See APPA's Web pages for public power and industry statistics.
6. When were public power systems first created? What are the newest systems?
The first public power systems were created in 1880, even before Thomas Alva Edison made possible central station generation. By 1888, there were 68 public power systems. By the year 2010, one third will have celebrated their centennials. During the last decade, 24 new public power systems were created, several in greenfield developments in California. Twelve were sold, mostly to neighboring rural electric cooperatives. Some of the newest are: Long Island Power Authority 1998; and Hermiston, Ore., 2001. Winter Park, Fla., launched its community-owned electric utility in June 2005.
7. How do you create a public power system?
Typically a community would conduct a feasibility study to determine if a new utility is economically viable and has community support. The community should also identify legal requirements, sources of wholesale power, and project capital and operating costs. Right now, dozens of communities are exploring public power. Check out APPA's Web pages on "Forming a Public Power Utility" for more information (at http://www.APPAnet.org ).
8. How are policy and service decisions made in public power communities?
Public power systems are public service institutions, owned by their consumers and governed locally by elected or appointed citizen boards. The community authorizes these boards to make decisions in the sunshine, in open public meetings, with consumer input. See APPA's Web pages on utility governance and its survey for more information.
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From http://archive.pulp.tc/html/new_rules_fail_to_create_cheap.html ...(from 2002, we believe)...
New Rules Fail To Create Cheaper Power
Competition not attracting customers
By Craig Wolf - Poughkeepsie Journal - Cheaper electricity through deregulation of the power industry remains an unfulfilled promise in the mid-Hudson.
Pataki's pitch was that deregulation offered the best hope to get prices down, a key to job growth and reviving the Empire State's economy. And, deregulation was billed as an environmental movement that would price dirty, older power plants out of operation.
It's not clear that anyone can prove it has worked...
All but ignored in the debate is a third path -- public power. In western New York's Jamestown, the city's Board of Public Utilities buys most of its power from the New York Power Authority and generates the rest.
A home in Jamestown using 500 kilowatt-hours a month would pay $25, versus Central Hudson's $46.74.
So how did deregulation affect Jamestown? BPU General Manager Wally Haase says it hurt.
''When deregulation took place, our purchased power costs increased by about a million and a half dollars the first year,'' he said.
AT A GLANCE - POWER SOURCES
Local costs are lower -- Here's how much it would cost to buy 500 kilowatt-hours of power in a month, a common load for a home:
Central Hudson: $46.74
Jamestown Board of Public Utilities: $25.01
Source: Edison Electric Institute for investor-owned companies; Jamestown BPU; New York state Public Service Commission
Data are as of Jan. 1, 2002.
Advances in the rest of New York state remain limited since the launch six years ago of the biggest transformation the industry has seen -- an attempt to create competition in the supply of energy to bring down its costs.
While some progress has been made in neighboring territories, and efforts continue to make deregulation work statewide, no cost benefits have been seen by local consumers, save for a tiny number, 224.
Uncertainties still abound, though for now, all is quiet in the land of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., whose lines power the mid-Hudson.
''The only thing I've noticed is that the electric bill has gotten more complicated,'' said Lou Gallo of Poughkeepsie, a small-business owner who has followed the issue. ''I wasn't overly disturbed with the power the way it was. I don't know if it's going to save us any money or not.''
No one else does, either, not that they can prove. Even advocates concede -- even complain -- that not enough power plants are being built to marshal more supply against rising demand.
Central Hudson lags behind every other investor-owned utility in the state, by far, in the number of customers who have migrated to competition. It's less than a tenth of a percent -- and shrinking...
Critics say deregulation may explode in a mess like California's, where prices shot up as brownouts kicked in. Some doubt the economics of deregulation will work soon, or ever, in an industry built on a non-competitive model. They say deregulation has thrown the consumer to the circling sharks of market manipulators.
''It's a system that's going to make our air quality worse and keep our prices as high as possible,'' said Andy Mele, executive director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater in Poughkeepsie. He dismisses ''the absurd and completely indefensible rhetoric of deregulation'' as ''a sort of economic fundamentalism.''
H. Carl McCall, the state's comptroller and a Democrat, has since become a contender to run against Pataki. McCall was already a critic of his handling of deregulation, having called it ''a good idea done poorly'' and claiming power prices in the state in early 2001 were 70 percent higher than the national average, worse after deregulation began.
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Did you know the Poughkeepsie Town Board unanimously passed this resolution below on Mar. 4th?...
[send a message now to all 25 of us at countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us for Dutchess to do same!]
WHEREAS, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. ("Central Hudson") has requested approval of increases in the rates it charges to deliver electricity and natural gas; and
WHEREAS, customers in a typical home would experience increases in their electric bills of approximately 17% increase for electricity and 28% for natural gas as a result of said increases; and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's area of service includes the Town of Poughkeepsie and the proposed rate increases will cause unnecessary hardship for numerous residents of the Town, particularly those with fixed or limited incomes, as well as placing those with fixed or limited incomes, as well as placing an additional financial burden on the Town's taxpayers as the Town's own facilities are served by Central Hudson; and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson has failed to demonstrate a need for the proposed increases; and
WHEREAS, the matter is presently before the New York State Public Service Commission; and
WHEREAS, upon consideration, the Town Board finds that such rate increases will place an undue financial burden on residents, businesses, and local governments, including the Town of Poughkeepsie, and discouraging further industrial and commercial development in our region; and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's service area is predominantly suburban and rural, with electric service provided by overhead lines, thus rendering the expenses of installation, maintenance, and repair to be substantially less than those of utility companies in metropolitan areas where power lines are underground; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Poughkeepsie, in its capacity as governing body of the Town, does hereby oppose the rate increase for delivery of electricity and natural gas for which Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. seeks approval; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be delivered to Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, the Hon. Stephen Saland, Senator for the 41st District, and the Hon. Joel Miller, Assemblyman for the 102nd District, by the Town Clerk, and the chief executives of surrounding municipalities served by Central Hudson; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforesaid resolution shall take effect immediately.
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[text here below of resolution I got passed overwhelmingly through our County Legislature; time again!]
WHEREAS, Dutchess County taxpayers paid $741,655 to Central Hudson last year for power as a part of the county budget alone; Central Hudson's proposed rate hike will further drive up county property taxes, school property taxes, town property taxes, village property taxes, city property taxes, fire property taxes, and library property taxes, and
WHEREAS, the Poughkeepsie Town Board unanimously passed a resolution at its March 4th meeting against Central Hudson's proposed rate hike, as, according to Poughkeepsie Town Supervisor Pat Myers, the utility has failed to demonstrate a need for this proposed increase, and "it will place an undue financial burden on citizens", and
WHEREAS, the increases proposed by Central Hudson would affect nearly 300,000 customers of all classes, including about 252,000 residential electric accounts and about 62,600 residential gas services, and
WHEREAS, for the typical electric residential customer using 500 kwh per month, the proposed Central Hudson rate hike would be an increase of $3.50 per month, and for the typical natural gas customer using 80 ccf (hundreds of cubic feet) per month, the increase would be $14.70 more per month, and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's rate case seeks to raise electric delivery revenues by $35.4 million, or 16.3 percent, and gas revenues by about $14.7 million, or 28.2 percent, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal February 12th, and
WHEREAS, CH Energy Group, Central Hudson's parent corporation that serves customers in ten states, made over $11 million in profit last quarter, about the same as a year earlier, and
WHEREAS, Reuters reported Feb. 12th that CH Energy Group made $11 million in profit last quarter, that annual earnings totaled $2.22 per share in 2008 after "the Company had projected 2008 earnings of between $2.02 - $2.27 per share" and that CH Energy Group's Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO described CH Energy Group as being in an "outstanding financial position", and therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Legislature requests that the New York State Public Service Commission reject Central Hudson's proposed rate hike, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the New York State Public Service Commission, Governor David Paterson, and Dutchess County's delegation of state legislators.
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From http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090313/BUSINESS/903130333/-1/comm ...
Rate Hike Request Decried
Utility's clients cite tight budgets
BY CRAIG WOLF o POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL o MARCH 13, 2009
Fifteen people commented Thursday to the state Public Service Commission about Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.'s proposed rate increases - all but one of them in opposition.
The increases proposed by the Poughkeepsie-based utility would affect nearly 300,000 customers of all classes, including about 252,000 residential electric accounts and about 62,600 residential gas services.
Central Hudson said its existing, expiring three-year rate plan isn't producing enough revenue to cover its needs to keep the systems running right while making its allowed rate of profit. Customer conservation is a key reason.
About three dozen people attended the two sessions at Poughkeepsie city hall, including officials from Central Hudson.
A commission administrative law judge, David Prestemon, conducted the hearings.
Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Patricia Myers said, "At our March 4 board meeting, we passed a resolution in the town unanimously opposing the rate increase proposed by Central Hudson."
The utility has failed to demonstrate a need for this proposed increase, she said.
"It will place an undue financial burden on citizens," she said.
Richard Carlson of Wappingers Falls said, "I'm retired and living on a fixed income. At the end of my month's expenses, I'm already in the red, so to speak." He added, "I think it's time that they tighten their belts, too."
John Dorsch of Fishkill said efforts to conserve don't save him money. "If you use less electricity, they want to charge you more for it," he said.
Regina Downer of the Town of Poughkeepsie criticized the extent of proposed rate increases. The utility wants to take in $14 million more for natural gas service, which would be an increase of 28 percent in revenue.
"I find that unconscionable," she said.
Paul Lill, manager at the Poughkeepsie water plant, said, "I think these increases in delivery charges are way out of whack."
Constantine Kazolias, of the City of Poughkeepsie, said, "The seniors are hurting. Once you get old, you need the heat."
Robert Essigman, of Wappinger, said, "I'm at 62 degrees now. How much lower can I go?"
Joel Tyner, a Dutchess County legislator representing Rhinebeck and Clinton, said, "Central Hudson is punishing us, essentially, for energy conservation."
"A lot of people here lost their jobs. Raises aren't particularly forthcoming," he said.
Helmy El-Sharif of Hopewell Junction said he was a shareholder in CH Energy Group, the parent company, and said, "I object to the rate increase."
Cindy Lanzetta, deputy supervisor, Town of Marlborough, said it was unsuccessful in an attempt to shut off lights at a town park to save money because Central Hudson cited a tariff issue.
Prestemon said there should be a better answer than that and suggested she check with commission staff about it.
Central Hudson has proposed to boost its home electric delivery rate in two parts. The fixed monthly fee would go up 56 percent from $16 to $25. But the cost per kilowatt-hour consumed would drop by 6.5 percent. A "mitigator" factor would further reduce the costs, said John Maserjian, a spokesman for Central Hudson. This comes from some funds previously established that can be used to benefit customers and will show as a bill credit, he said.
In the evening session, Poughkeepsie resident Bob Marone criticized that plan. "This is outrageous, to raise the monthly fees that much."
He said the other reductions looked like "smoke and mirrors" and faulted the fixed charge going up so much. "That's just to have the meter hanging on the building," he said, and reduces the incentive to conserve.
Chloe Smith of Poughkeepsie told the judge of her struggle to keep up with bills while paychecks are flat.
"For once, I'd like to see them consider the consumer," she said.
Prestemon assured her the commission does.
Myrtle Shell of Poughkeepsie said she was in "strong opposition." She unplugged her air conditioner last summer, "but I don't see any difference in my bill."
Bruce Williams of Red Hook...disagreed with the commission's deregulation policies.
Prestemon said the review of the case continues through June and the goal is to finish by the end of June.
Prestemon said, "These were some of the most enlightening and interesting comments I've ever seen. Thank you very, very much."
He pointed out Central Hudson had filed the rate case with the Public Service Commission in July, before September's collapse of Lehman Brothers and the downturn of the economy. It's the first case being decided since then.
For home natural gas, the monthly charge would go up 50 percent from $14 to $21 for the first 200 units of 100 cubic feet of gas. The next 4,800 units would rise 21.4 percent and for amounts beyond that, 8 percent.
"For the typical electric residential customer using 500 kwh per month, the proposed increase would be $3.50 per month, which includes a proposed mitigator to offset part of the increase during the rate year," Maserjian said this week. For the typical natural gas customer using 80 ccf (hundreds of cubic feet) per month, the increase would be $14.70 per month when averaged over 12 months, he said.
These rate changes won't affect supply charges, which rise and fall with the market.
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Don't forget these two points to make to NYS Public Service Commission at (800) 335-2120 either...
[...and it sure couldn't hurt to hold our local state legislators accountable too-- call (877) 255-9417!...]
Support Assemblyman Richard Brodsky's tough stand re: NYISO, electric rates; save billions annually.
[see: http://www.pulp.tc/html/assemblyman_blasts_nyiso_over_.html ;
http://pulpnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/03/assembly-committees-hold-hearing-to.html ;
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?category=&storyID=776070&BCCode=&newsdate=3/4/2009 ]
Request that NYS Public Service Commission to make sure that Central Hudson puts into place a revenue decoupling mechanism similar to Pacific Gas and Electric's "10/20 Plus Winter Gas Savings Program"-- where customers actually get a 20% rebate if they cut their gas use 10% over the winter(!).
[I've been pushing for this since early '07; see points #9, #10 of http://www.PetitionOnline.com/StepItUp ;
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/294506/pacific_gas_and_electric_company_and_turn_join_to_help/index.html ; http://www.pge.com/about/news/mediarelations/newsreleases/q2_2008/080421.shtml ;
http://www.pge.com/about/news/mediarelations/newsreleases/q1_2006/060317.shtml ;
http://www.progressivestates.org/content/671/utility-decoupling-giving-utilities-incentives-to-promote-energy-efficiency ]
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From http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/doc49bb34d6009c4757089828.txt ...
No support at hearing for Central Hudson rate hike
Saturday, March 14, 2009 3:06 AM EDT
By Mid-Hudson News Network
POUGHKEEPSIE - Customers who addressed state Public Service Commission hearings at Poughkeepsie City Hall on Thursday were unanimously opposed to proposed rate hikes that Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. says it needs.
The utility says the additional revenue is necessary to cover higher costs and investments to improve its gas and electric delivery systems.
Chloe Smith, a town of Poughkeepsie resident, said the utility is sending mixed messages to its customers.
“I feel like we are being penalized and it is sending a double message,” she said. “You're telling me to conserve, and now that I've conserved, you have to raise our rates. So why am I conserving?”
The fact that energy consumption has fallen is one of the reasons Central Hudson cited in requesting the PSC approve the rate hikes.
The impact of the hikes, if approved, would be about $3.50 per month for the typical residential electric customer and $14.70 per month for the typical natural gas customer - or roughly $218 per year combined...
Central Hudson is based in Poughkeepsie and serves about 300,000 customers in eight counties.
How to comment
Comments about Central Hudson's proposed rate hikes can be made by mail to Jaclyn A. Brilling, secretary, Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, N.Y. 12223-1350. Written comments should reference “Cases 08-E-0887 and 08-G-0888, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation - Rates.”
Comments also can be made by phone at 1-800-335-2120, toll-free, or submitted via the Internet by filling out a “PSC Comment Form” that can be found in the “Consumer Assistance” area of the PSC's Web site, http://www.dps.state.ny.us .
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From http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090310/BUSINESS/903100320 ...
Utility On Defensive Over Rates Request
BY CRAIG WOLF o POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL o MARCH 10, 2009
It's a tough time for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., the company says, but plenty of its customers say it's even tougher for them.
When the state Public Service Commission takes comments Thursday about Central Hudson's proposed rate increases, it will come during a time of rising unemployment and after a wallet-bashing surge in energy costs that then eased - only because of a long, serious economic recession.
The increases proposed by the Poughkeepsie-based utility would affect nearly 300,000 customers, including about 252,000 residential electric accounts. Central Hudson says its existing three-year rate plan isn't producing enough revenue to cover its needs to keep the systems running right while making its allowed rate of profit. Customer conservation is a key reason.
Some customers are miffed.
Saying her family has worked tirelessly to conserve and to avoid a bigger electric bill, Julia Chastant of Union Vale wrote in an e-mail, "We use less so they charge us more because they aren't making enough. That is absolutely sinful. Where is the incentive to conserve?"
A commission administrative law judge, David Prestemon, will conduct the hearings at 3 and 6 p.m. Thursday in the Common Council Chambers, third floor, city hall, 52 Market St., Poughkeepsie.
In the raw, the rate increases are startling, as Central Hudson has proposed to boost its electric delivery rate in two parts. The fixed monthly fee would rise 56 percent from $16 to $25. But the cost per kilowatt-hour consumed would drop by 6.5 percent.
For natural gas, the monthly charge would go up 50 percent from $14 to $21 for the first 200 units of 100 cubic feet of gas. The next 4,800 units would rise 21.4 percent and for amounts beyond that, 8 percent.
But, Central Hudson adds, there is a "mitigator" factor involved that brings these costs down.
"For the typical electric residential customer using 500 kwh per month, the proposed increase would be $3.50 per month, which includes a proposed mitigator to offset part of the increase during the rate year," spokesman John Maserjian said. "For the typical natural gas customer using 80 ccf (hundreds of cubic feet) per year, the increase would be $14.70 per month when averaged over 12 months."
These rate changes won't affect supply charges, which rise and fall with the market.
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From http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090226/BUSINESS/902260324 ...
Public has more say on rates
BY CRAIG WOLF o POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL o FEBRUARY 26, 2009
Citizens interested in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.'s request to raise rates have more information and more ways to comment than in the past.
Public statement hearings will be held at 3 and 6 p.m. March 12 at Poughkeepsie city hall. Comments can also be made online, by mail and phone to the New York state Public Service Commission, which will judge the company's request.
Some people have already sounded off.
"My husband and I are seniors on a fixed income. With a mortgage, car payments, food and other household items, we are just barely keeping our heads above water," Fern Sunday of Fishkill wrote for herself and husband, Sam. "Where does Central Hudson think we and others in our situation are going to get the extra money with these increases?"
Central Hudson has said conservation has cut into profits.
The Sundays' letter and other files are viewable online now.
Central Hudson seeks raises in both electric and natural gas delivery rates, which, in the aggregate, would raise revenues 17 percent for power and 28 percent for gas. Central Hudson said in August the typical customer would pay about $3.50 a month more for power and $14.70 a month more for gas, averaged over 12 months. Those rates do not include the commodity supply costs, which the utility does not control.
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