Denise D. VanBuren is vice president of public relations for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.
No one likes to see their bills increase, but we can all agree that at times we need to update and maintain critical infrastructure on which we all depend, whether it is roadways, bridges or municipal services. The same is true of the electricity and natural gas systems serving the mid-Hudson Valley.
Central Hudson is sensitive to the need for maintaining affordable utility bills while at the same time updating our local energy grid. We believe we’ve struck a balance in a plan submitted before the New York State Public Service Commission to modernize and strengthen the electric and natural gas delivery systems by investing in storm hardening, improving grid efficiency and updating critical infrastructure. These investments will improve service reliability and resilience, while utilizing the latest technologies to better deliver energy to our customers. To help reduce bill impacts, we are utilizing funds from Fortis Inc. and other regulatory balances to offset about 60 percent of electric rate increase and 40 percent of natural gas increase during this three-year plan.
These improvements will also provide the platform investments necessary to enable increasing levels of locally sited renewable energy systems, improve control and efficiency of the electric grid that can actually reduce customer energy use, and other necessary enhancements in support of New York State’s Renewing the Energy Vision, or REV. These regulatory proceedings are currently underway to change the way energy is produced and distributed in New York, and to provide more energy options for residents and businesses.
The plan underwent an exhaustive and extensive review process by regulators and independent parties. A Joint Proposal was signed and filed by the Staff of the Public Service Commission, Multiple Intervenors (a group representing industrial customers), Pace Energy and Climate Center, Sabin Center for Climate Change at Columbia Law School and the Retail Energy Supply Association. If approved, the plan would take effect following a two-year rate freeze ending June 30, agreed to as part of our joining Fortis Inc.
Including credits provided by Fortis, average residential electricity bills would increase by about $0.60 per month, or less than a 1 percent increase, in the first year, less than $5 per month in the second year, and less than $6 per month in the third year.
For natural gas, benefits from Fortis and other balances will completely offset bill impacts, with a small reduction in delivery rates during the first rate year, an increase of $1.20 per month in the second year, and an increase of about $5 per month in the third year.
We recognize that no matter how modest a bill increase may be, some families in our region continue to struggle with basic necessities. This proposed rate plan includes provisions to ensure Central Hudson’s existing programs for income-eligible customers continue.
Examples include bill discounts for customers receiving benefits from the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program; the Expanded Powerful Opportunities Program, which provides forgiveness of a portion of past due balances, a discounted budget bill and referrals to energy educational and efficiency programs for income eligible customers; the Good Neighbor Fund, a last resort grant funded by customers and Central Hudson for customers facing financial difficulty and who have exhausted other forms of aid; and referrals to free federal and state assistance programs, including both energy efficiency and financial assistance.
Central Hudson gladly honors and follows the terms of the Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) when working with all our customers, and we provide courteous and helpful assistance to those who need it most. We continuously strive to meet the financial needs of vulnerable families by working with them one at a time to develop a plan that meets their often unique situations. And we do this while also making needed investments in the energy systems we all use and rely upon every day. Balancing these needs ensures reliable and affordable utility services for all our customers.
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