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Residents urge council to support Hudson Valley Power Authority as alternative to Central Hudson
Summary
Multiple Kingston residents used public comment to urge the council to back a Hudson Valley Power Authority or public power option, citing high electricity costs, alleged unfair practices by Central Hudson and support for local control of energy.
Several residents used the Jan. 7 public comment period to urge the Kingston Common Council to support the creation of a Hudson Valley Power Authority or other public‑power alternatives to Central Hudson.
Cam (Ham) Miller of 89 Green Street criticized Central Hudson’s rate increases and customer service record, called the company’s actions “price gouging” during the pandemic and said bonuses to executives were an example of misplaced priorities. “Let’s let the people decide our community’s energy future,” he said.
Diana Lopez said about a quarter of Hudson Valley households are energy‑burdened and that Ulster County electricity costs run about 22% higher than the national average; she expressed support for a local authority to provide more consistent, lower‑cost and cleaner energy.
Other speakers backing a public power option included Rebecca (last name not recorded), who said she had previously lived in areas with electric cooperatives, Max Gricehaber, who cautioned that public power must be structured to enforce emissions and compliance rules, and Jim Lafferty, who described public power as a way to advance sustainability and affordability goals.
Speakers asked the council to consider a resolution under consideration by the body and to prioritize affordability and local control. The meeting record includes multiple public comments in favor of the Hudson Valley Power Authority, but the transcript does not show a council vote on any related resolution during the Jan. 7 meeting.
