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 $107 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, 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.

  

 

2,375 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?

  • William Forrest
    signed 2024-10-26 15:51:34 -0400
  • Justin Philipps
    signed 2024-10-26 15:33:36 -0400
  • Amy Harlib
    signed 2024-10-26 15:25:59 -0400
  • John Huber
    signed 2024-10-26 15:25:29 -0400
  • James Thompson
    signed 2024-10-26 14:56:52 -0400
    We need a more compassionate and local utility. Not a huge foreign conglomerate that is only concerned with profit.
  • John L. Staton
    signed 2024-10-26 14:32:41 -0400
  • Kathryn DeFeo
    signed 2024-10-26 14:32:31 -0400
  • Sofia Montemayor-Thomas
    signed 2024-10-26 14:31:59 -0400
  • Gareth Smith
    signed 2024-10-26 14:29:28 -0400
  • David Callard
    signed 2024-10-26 14:28:29 -0400
  • Judith Ackerman
    signed 2024-10-26 14:27:57 -0400
  • Lauren Tomkinson
    signed 2024-10-26 14:27:45 -0400
  • Dustin Schreiber
    signed 2024-10-26 12:46:32 -0400
  • Sadie Brock
    signed 2024-10-26 12:32:49 -0400
  • Alison Livada
    signed 2024-10-26 12:11:57 -0400
  • Karen Himes
    signed 2024-10-26 07:56:26 -0400
  • Jeri Coleman
    signed 2024-10-25 17:39:20 -0400
  • Selena r
    signed 2024-10-25 10:43:24 -0400
  • Grace Law
    signed 2024-10-25 10:09:39 -0400
  • Tammy Oleary
    signed 2024-10-25 08:07:45 -0400
    Rge has become like a second mortgage payment. I can’t afford it, I’m getting 800 bills during the summer. Last year my bills where 150-200. I’m now disabled and can not longer work. I can’t afford these bills on social security. We need help. Rge refuses to even look into the billing. Excuses of none payment when I have sent in proof of payments. Now each month I get a shut off notice with my multiple bills when I pay my bills each month
  • Atticus Kramer
    signed 2024-10-24 23:10:41 -0400
  • Sheril Christie
    signed 2024-10-24 16:41:59 -0400
  • Megan McRobert
    signed 2024-10-24 16:29:14 -0400
  • Justin Kieber-King
    signed 2024-10-24 13:57:42 -0400
  • Zach Spruce
    signed 2024-10-24 13:50:41 -0400
  • George Poulios
    signed 2024-10-24 13:42:03 -0400
  • Benjamin Wittwer
    signed 2024-10-24 07:56:58 -0400
  • Amanda Nock
    signed 2024-10-23 19:34:55 -0400
  • Caroline Shaw
    signed 2024-10-23 19:23:34 -0400
  • Josephine Schultz
    signed 2024-10-23 14:40:47 -0400

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