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.

  

 

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.

Will you sign?

  • Daniel Hawke
    signed 2024-04-05 18:39:32 -0400
  • Sara Barton
    signed 2024-04-04 17:20:11 -0400
  • christopher randall
    signed 2024-04-04 10:43:32 -0400
  • Becca Orton
    signed 2024-04-03 13:44:50 -0400
  • John Wiltse
    signed 2024-04-03 09:21:49 -0400
  • kathleen murphy
    signed 2024-04-01 17:14:19 -0400
    After listening to their garbage on WXXI with Evan Dawson, I was disgusted by Abriola’s attacks on public utilities. She tried to equate a dead body in the Highland Reservoir with what you get with public utilities.
  • Kaitlyn Pratt
    signed 2024-03-30 14:10:24 -0400
  • Joe Proano
    signed 2024-03-30 07:06:44 -0400
    My RG&E bill shouldn’t be as much as my rent payments. Absolute scam.
  • Ryan Hyde
    signed 2024-03-29 18:05:12 -0400
    Public utilities should be publicly owned. I can’t believe I have to say this out loud. It’s just a fact.
  • Shannon Ross
    signed 2024-03-29 14:48:19 -0400
    I can’t even afford to keep my bill paid up with RG & E we are a family of 4. This is absolutely ridiculous!! Smart Meters are a scam to charge us more!
  • Tiffany Porter
    signed 2024-03-29 14:33:00 -0400
  • Alex Lawley
    signed 2024-03-29 13:58:27 -0400
  • Mary Belcher
    signed 2024-03-29 13:04:52 -0400
  • Chris Mcquaid
    signed 2024-03-29 12:48:48 -0400
    if the county doesn’t vote for community-owned power company then they are ignoring the will of the people.
  • Taylor Piccarreto
    signed 2024-03-29 12:27:16 -0400
  • Gregory Hartman
    signed 2024-03-29 12:20:35 -0400
  • Michael Krueger
    signed 2024-03-27 21:02:34 -0400
  • Matthew Lambrych
    signed 2024-03-27 17:04:45 -0400
  • Ricky Graham
    signed 2024-03-27 14:30:04 -0400
  • Amy Linehan
    signed 2024-03-26 19:51:17 -0400
  • Joseph phelps
    signed 2024-03-26 18:11:03 -0400
  • Jennifer Gough
    signed 2024-03-26 13:19:35 -0400
  • Tom Stoffel
    signed 2024-03-26 08:59:25 -0400
  • Brian Shafer
    signed 2024-03-25 22:19:41 -0400
  • Joseph Bodyk
    signed 2024-03-25 21:16:35 -0400
  • Marian Goden
    signed 2024-03-25 19:49:08 -0400
    No matter how much I pay or make consumption arrangements, the bills do not go below $1,000, this is complete abuse.
  • Madeline Padua Magee
    signed 2024-03-25 19:14:41 -0400
    RG&E is taking advantage of it’s customers.
  • Harold hall
    signed 2024-03-25 11:09:28 -0400
  • Lynn Mordenga
    signed 2024-03-24 23:25:05 -0400
  • Carla Pontarelli
    signed 2024-03-24 20:48:29 -0400

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