A group is meeting on Thursday, June 25 from 6-7:30pm at St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church • 15 South Avenue, Beacon, NY to learn and ask questions about a bill introduced by Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and Senator Michelle Hinchey called “The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act.” This legislation would create a state-owned corporation, the Hudson Valley Power Authority (HVPA), that “is authorized to acquire Central Hudson and run it as a publicly-owned and democratic energy with no profit motive,” according to the bill’s website.

Promoters of the legislation describe it as: “Central Hudson is a for-profit monopoly owned by a Canadian holding company, Fortis. A state bill, called the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act (A02127 Shrestha /S02026 Hinchey), would replace Central Hudson with a not for profit state corporation. That means getting rid of investors who have a right to make profits from our utility bills, and lowering rates to serve energy as a public good!”

It is not indicated if the lawmaker presenting at this panel, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, will address regulations created by New York State that have impacted higher rates of gas and electricity. The morning co-host on K104, DJ Bill Bael, who is a Town of Wappinger Councilman since 2007 and former Deputy Town Supervisor, and current Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Commissioner, often discusses how New York legislation has contributed to the increase in pricing of gas and electric for Central Hudson customers.

Central Hudson’s website briefly describes its origin story of one that was started by three individuals with the aim to consolidate multiple energy providing companies in this region.

Central Hudson’s origin story description states:

“In 1900, three men – Thaddeus Beal, his father William R. Beal and John Wilkie – purchased two companies which provided 5,000 Newburgh, New York customers with electricity and gas.

“It was a bold move to reach beyond the economic activity of the city into a sparsely populated region, but Beal, Wilkie, and their associates recognized the need for consolidation of the many separate electric and gas companies serving our region. Over the next 25 years these men realized their vision. With the emergence of new energy technology and through the merger of 80-plus independent electric and gas companies, the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation was formed.

“The year 2000 saw the formation of CH Energy Group, Inc., a holding company/parent organization of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and a family of subsidiaries known as Central Hudson Enterprises Corporation. And in 2013 CH Energy Group and Central Hudson joined Fortis Inc.’s federation of utility companies. The merger, which was voted for by CH Energy Group shareholders, took place following state and federal regulatory approvals. It provided Central Hudson with improved access to capital to make infrastructure improvements and provided customers with nearly $50 million in financial benefits.

For people interested in supporting Hudson Valley Power Authority (HPVA), there is a petition they can sign.

For questions people want to ask, registration is available here.