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.

  

 

2,884 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?

  • Brian Lee
    signed 2025-06-19 12:47:25 -0400
  • Nicholas Spencer
    signed 2025-06-18 22:24:57 -0400
  • Cilien Hanna
    signed 2025-06-18 15:50:28 -0400
  • Selvia Hanna
    signed 2025-06-18 10:28:17 -0400
  • Mary Gafford
    signed 2025-06-18 09:32:28 -0400
  • Pamela Tascione
    signed 2025-06-14 19:43:32 -0400
    My bill was twice as high as usual. They refuse to do anything. Also they are charging me an extra $50 monthly due to meters inside
  • Nathan Gibson
    signed 2025-06-14 11:20:09 -0400
  • Abigail Blauvelt
    signed 2025-06-13 11:20:54 -0400
  • Amy Mayer
    signed 2025-06-13 10:32:51 -0400
  • Richard De Asis
    signed 2025-06-12 11:19:23 -0400
  • Gail Carmichael
    signed 2025-06-12 10:49:54 -0400
  • Mike Mammano
    signed 2025-06-12 09:21:41 -0400
  • Samuel Viggiani
    signed 2025-06-12 09:09:18 -0400
  • Vicki James
    signed 2025-06-12 09:00:52 -0400
  • Kristin Bodon
    signed 2025-06-11 14:34:13 -0400
  • Amanda Sciacca
    signed 2025-06-10 11:13:25 -0400
  • Maria Gordon
    signed 2025-06-09 19:11:38 -0400
    I WANT LOCAL COMMUNITY CONTROLLED PUBLIC UTILITY
  • Cliff White
    signed 2025-06-09 18:06:14 -0400
  • Alexandra Baker
    signed 2025-06-09 07:58:33 -0400
  • Gena Korn
    signed 2025-06-06 22:23:49 -0400
  • Jo-Ann Walton
    signed 2025-06-05 17:59:15 -0400
    RG and E should be eliminated and a more affordable company take its place!
  • Robert Bennett
    signed via 2025-06-04 16:29:18 -0400
  • James Murphy
    signed 2025-06-04 09:53:13 -0400
  • Miranda Yates
    signed 2025-06-03 11:46:50 -0400
  • Laura Church
    signed 2025-06-03 06:39:42 -0400
    RG&E needs to go. The incompetence and disfunction must end. I can’t believe they’ve gotten away with this for so long!
  • Melissa Christodaro
    signed 2025-06-02 10:07:58 -0400
  • Matthew Akyuz
    signed 2025-05-31 19:32:09 -0400
  • Catrina Rebstock
    signed 2025-05-31 04:23:39 -0400
  • Tonya Dugan
    signed 2025-05-30 17:03:31 -0400
    Every single person has a right to affordable and sustainable utilities.
  • Bradley Moon
    signed 2025-05-30 14:04:39 -0400

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