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.

4,562 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.

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Tarush Ghai signed 2025-10-02 09:09:06 -0400
Michael Stewart signed 2025-09-29 16:58:14 -0400

Rg&e has been riping people off for years
Gabriel Cruz signed 2025-09-29 12:06:22 -0400

RG&E has been a blight to Rochester since day one.
Candyce Glave signed 2025-09-29 09:44:30 -0400

Basic needs shouldn’t be capitalized.
Justin Glave signed 2025-09-29 05:21:48 -0400
Adam Glegg signed 2025-09-26 12:34:03 -0400

Sick and tired of a greedy company who puts investors first over consumers.
Vanessa Donadio signed 2025-09-25 18:14:46 -0400
Brigit Klement signed 2025-09-25 16:59:21 -0400
Hazel Civalier signed 2025-09-24 21:24:25 -0400
Mark Ames signed 2025-09-24 15:27:45 -0400
Emily Weber signed 2025-09-23 20:46:11 -0400
Margaret Manzella signed 2025-09-23 15:09:18 -0400
Mahmoud Jamal signed 2025-09-23 14:01:00 -0400

What is happening is not fair. This injustice against civilians must stop.
Stormy Ousley signed 2025-09-23 11:55:06 -0400
Justin smiley signed 2025-09-22 23:30:51 -0400
Jeff Laley signed 2025-09-22 21:08:58 -0400
Michael Simone signed 2025-09-22 20:12:35 -0400
Mo Amadi signed 2025-09-22 20:07:51 -0400
Amber James signed 2025-09-22 17:46:01 -0400
Nathan Kobland signed 2025-09-22 16:07:39 -0400
Moss Limpert signed 2025-09-22 15:57:18 -0400
Jesse Bacon signed 2025-09-22 14:45:15 -0400
Matthew Ferguson signed 2025-09-22 13:44:13 -0400

Why we ever leave necessary public utilities in the hands of private equity is a mystery to me. This should have happened forever ago!
Charlie Henderson signed 2025-09-22 12:54:38 -0400
Mark signed 2025-09-22 12:02:41 -0400

Electricity is a basic need to exist in modern society and therefore should be freely available to everyone. An organization who’s goal is profit has no reason to be the source of such a basic necessity, and being responsible to deliver that profit to shareholders is abhorrent. A public utility should only benefit the public, not a handful of rich people who only care about line go up.
Christopher Murphy signed 2025-09-22 11:18:13 -0400
Audrey Lai signed 2025-09-21 22:52:27 -0400
Andrew Saridakis signed 2025-09-17 17:01:11 -0400

There should be no reason that Utilities are handouts to RGE and funded by us, but then the profit are privatived. No reason why we stick by this company
Eric Doan signed 2025-09-17 00:37:49 -0400
rockie andrews signed 2025-09-16 20:50:32 -0400

while i am not a current resident of rochester, having a public utility would be something to make me seriously consider moving there! i’m tired of being gauged by private companies exploiting public resources! replace rge!!

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

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