Despite an epidemic of ongoing billing errors and dysfunctional customer service, state regulators rewarded RG&E with a 34% rate hike over the next 3 years. We deserve a future in which we are no longer beholden to a profit-driven, foreign company for our basic energy needs. We deserve to have the chance to make an informed choice on whether we maintain the status quo with RG&E or establish a public, locally owned, non-profit utility instead!

The first step is a comprehensive feasibility and implementation study. City residents are the hardest hit by RG&E’s insane bills and neglect, so our RED (Rochester for Energy Democracy) Campaign for a public utility is returning to its roots as a city-based campaign. Because the City of Rochester already set aside funds that expire this June for a study, we are making a big push this month for the City to renew those funds, get additional funding, and take steps to commission a county-wide study on their own. The vast majority of public utility studies are funded and intiated at the city-level, even if the study covers a larger region. Rochester can do this too; our City leadership owes it to residents to study a publicly owned alternative to the persistent greed and incompetence of RG&E. 

It’ll take a lot of public pressure from residents to outweigh RG&E's political influence and convince the City to lead where the County failed. So, join us for this outreach day! 

The outreach day is on Saturday June 15th, from 10 AM - 4 PM, starting at the Metro Justice Office. We'll kick off with a comprehensive training on how to have compelling, in-depth conversations with people to move them towards action. Then, we'll go knock on doors in pairs to speak with residents! Bagels, snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided! Here is the guideline for the door-to-door conversation and an FAQ to address common concerns. While we will review those more thoroughly during the training, we encourage you to review them in advance as well! 

RSVP below!