Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is urging the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the latest rate increase request from Central Hudson. He shared his concerns in a statement during a public hearing this week in Poughkeepsie.

“Central Hudson’s request for a rate increase is both shocking and not surprising to its customers,” said Jacobson, whose entire district is served by the utility. “Central Hudson customers have been hit with constant increases, and this request is yet another shock to their financial lives. But it’s not a surprise because Central Hudson has a never-ending appetite for more money.”

Just last year, the utility requested a rate increase of more than 25%. But the PSC instead approved a 5% increase, which went into effect last July.

Now the utility is back for more, and Jacobson wants the PSC to protect customers from another rate hike.

“Central Hudson throws rate increase requests against the proverbial wall and hopes that something will stick,” he said.