Join us for a presentation, hosted by Color Pittsford Green, to learn more about the campaign to replace RG&E with public utility. RG&E is a for-profit company owned by Iberdrola based in Spain which extracts $95 million in profits from our community every year. RG&E files to increase our rates every few years; and has just reached a settlement agreement that will bring a 37% increase in electricity delivery rates over the three-year period and a 34% increase in gas delivery rates with little included to advance the state’s clean energy goals.  All at a time when families are facing staggering cost of living increases. RG&E’s parent company also has a history of lobbying against environmental legislation such as the 2015 New York fracking ban and NY’s Landmark 2019 Climate Law.

After months of effort the Rochester for Energy Democracy (RED) campaign and the broader community won a significant milestone— The Rochester City Council unanimously voted in favor of allocating funds for an implementation study to explore replacing RG&E with a community-owned utility that would serve the interests of all community members, instead of extracting as much profit from our region as possible. This was only possible because of the many people who volunteered to step up and join this campaign.

However, it is important to note that Monroe County Executive Adam Bello currently opposes a study that would look into alternative approaches for lower rates, improved customer service, the creation of good local union jobs, and a faster transition to renewable energy. Despite the fact that a majority of county legislators from his own party support the initiative, Adam Bello maintains his opposition. You can find our response to his recent stance on this here. Ultimately, it is the collective power of the people in our community that can exert pressure on officials to make the right decisions.

Currently, Fairport, Spencerport, and Churchville all have public utilities; we would like to hear if you think the rest of Monroe County should too! This presentation will be held on Monday, July 24th, from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Fisher Room of the Pittsford Community Library (24 State Street).