Kingston council urges state to pass Hudson Valley Power Authority after extended public comment

The Kingston Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to call on the New York State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act, a measure to enable a regional public utility, after an extended public comment period in which dozens of residents urged the council to back the bill.

The vote — 8 to 0 — came after roughly an hour of speakers who described billing errors, high rates and service problems attributed to Central Hudson, and who said a public authority could protect ratepayers and workers. “Ratepayers would be facing massive increases in their power bills,” said Michael Hychuck, a representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 320, who urged caution about public power based on past examples; others countered that public ownership could prioritize affordability and accountability.

Supporters framed the measure as both consumer protection and a route to faster clean-energy…