I want to replace RG&E with a local, community controlled public utility!

I want to replace RG&E with a local, community controlled public utility!

Did you know that we can vote out the foreign-owned corporation that owns and controls RG&E? RG&E is owned by a foreign multinational corporation called Iberdrola that extracts over $120 million in profits from our region every year. Rochester for Energy Democracy (RED) is Metro Justice’s campaign to replace foreign-owned RG&E in Rochester or Monroe County into a not for profit, locally controlled public utility.

RG&E's track record speaks volumes—surprise billing, exorbitant rates and shut offs, terrible customer service, and rising rates have plagued our community for far too long. In addition to being unresponsive to the needs of city residents, RG&E has all but ignored the impending climate crisis, continued to invest in fossil fuels, and lobbied against green energy policies. It's time for change.

  

 

3,528 signatures

By signing this petition, I support the call to replace RG&E with a locally owned and community controlled public utility that meets the needs of our communities instead of serving the greed of distant investors and CEOs. I want a public utility based on the principles of energy democracy:

  • Affordable Rates,
  • Local investment of ratepayer dollars to prioritize customer service and a reliable grid, 
  • A fast and equitable transition to zero greenhouse gas emissions, 
  • More good paying union jobs and a just transition for fossil fuel energy workers, 
  • Public ownership of the utility, where it is run by value-aligned general management and its current employees, governed by an elected Board of Directors, and has a real say for ratepayers. 

In particular, I call on elected leaders to take the first step and study whether and how a public utility could meet these goals.

Will you sign?

  • Steve Hitchcock
    signed 2025-12-06 19:34:56 -0500
  • Michele Cleary
    signed 2025-12-06 19:32:01 -0500
  • Dalenna Heffer
    signed 2025-12-06 16:43:02 -0500
  • Robin Lindstrom
    signed 2025-12-06 16:02:10 -0500
  • Chad Lindstrom
    signed 2025-12-06 15:59:48 -0500
  • Matthew Falcon
    signed 2025-12-06 15:50:56 -0500
  • Matt Seidel
    signed 2025-12-06 15:33:59 -0500
  • Sarah Estee
    signed 2025-12-04 20:26:55 -0500
  • Oliver Oliver
    signed 2025-12-02 19:00:09 -0500
  • Neil Freson
    signed 2025-12-02 15:20:03 -0500
  • Adair Finucane
    signed 2025-12-02 13:50:09 -0500
  • Jasmin Vega
    signed 2025-12-02 09:52:34 -0500
  • Samantha Boyd
    signed 2025-12-02 09:41:09 -0500
  • Kyle Dobbs
    signed 2025-12-01 22:08:53 -0500
  • Ethan Clark
    signed 2025-11-30 10:45:21 -0500
  • Paul Karas
    signed 2025-11-27 11:15:59 -0500
  • Tim Arden
    signed 2025-11-26 11:44:02 -0500
    “Delivery” charges are nothing but theft to enrich executives under the guise of funding for the less fortunate utility bills they can’t afford.
  • Malaki Ward
    signed 2025-11-25 06:26:10 -0500
  • Erin Cavellier
    signed 2025-11-24 16:01:05 -0500
  • sasha pulleyn
    signed 2025-11-22 20:26:42 -0500
  • Sue Hare
    signed 2025-11-22 08:10:04 -0500
  • Preston Parsons
    signed 2025-11-19 20:43:01 -0500
  • Matthew Knauf
    signed 2025-11-19 08:50:35 -0500
  • Keegan Leslie-Taylor
    signed 2025-11-19 08:49:44 -0500
  • Briana Fellows
    signed 2025-11-19 08:20:46 -0500
  • Tara Cain
    signed 2025-11-17 20:53:42 -0500
    I am truly sick of RG&E and I am sick of calling the commissioners office as well. I am sick of these bills. Don’t make any sense. I’m sick of getting two and three bills a month at this point I am ready to file a lawsuit against Rochester Gas & Electric.
  • Sophie Barker
    signed 2025-11-14 19:08:45 -0500
  • Khai Wicks
    signed 2025-11-14 13:29:14 -0500
  • Perez Alison
    signed 2025-11-14 12:53:54 -0500
  • Steven Delgado
    signed 2025-11-14 12:02:13 -0500

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