Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Central Hudson explains winter bill spikes to Pleasant Valley board, outlines relief programs
Summary
Central Hudson officials told the Pleasant Valley board that market-driven supply costs, an unusually cold winter and pipeline constraints drove recent bill increases and described customer assistance programs and possible rate-design fixes to reduce volatility.
Representatives from Central Hudson — spokesperson Joe Jensen and Jerry (director of government and community affairs) — explained to the Pleasant Valley Town Board why many residents saw unusually large winter utility bills and outlined programs intended to provide relief.
Jensen gave a breakdown of customer charges: "For every dollar a customer gives Central Hudson, 42 cents goes to the company… 22 cents goes to pay taxes, New York State policies, fees, and mandates, and 36% goes to that supply cost," and stressed that supply charges are market-driven and not set by the company.
Jerry described how the winter weather amplified demand and supply pressures: "We saw stretches of days where portions of our service area saw more than 17 consecutive days where the temperature did not get above freezing," he said, noting that prolonged cold increased household consumption and drove up wholesale supply prices. Central Hudson also pointed to infrastructure constraints and the increased share of electricity generated from natural gas after the closure of Indian Point.
Programs and options: Central Hudson outlined customer relief and structural options including HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) grants, a year-round bill discount for eligible customers, an enhanced affordability program for households above traditional eligibility thresholds, a veterans discount, and budget-billing options that can spread true-up costs over multiple months. Company officials said they are exploring rate-design changes to reduce monthly volatility (for example, shifting some delivery charges from volumetric to flat components) and are discussing longer-term infrastructure and efficiency improvements with regulators.
During Q&A, board members asked about generation mix and policy solutions. An attendee asked whether a proposed tax suspension would help; Jensen said the company "was not opposed to Senator Rison's legislation" but emphasized that rate-design changes could provide more meaningful short-term volatility relief than a one-year tax holiday.
What’s next: Central Hudson provided flyers and said information would be placed on the town website. Board members thanked the utility for the presentation and asked town staff to post slide materials and customer program information online.
