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.

  

 

2,521 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?

  • Trish Harren
    signed 2023-12-13 16:00:50 -0500
  • Rebbeca Steiner
    signed via 2023-12-13 14:40:45 -0500
  • Holly Mott
    signed 2023-12-12 18:24:40 -0500
  • Judith Cornwell
    signed 2023-12-08 19:49:35 -0500
  • Meghan O'Dwyer
    signed 2023-12-08 17:13:32 -0500
  • Ethan Koval
    signed 2023-12-08 08:03:11 -0500
    The public good outweighs a continued partnership with RGE. It’s time to take back our city.
  • Colleen Conheady
    signed 2023-12-08 07:32:23 -0500
  • caleb conheady
    signed 2023-12-07 20:55:14 -0500
  • Emily Smith
    signed 2023-12-07 14:31:04 -0500
  • Tori Kogler
    signed via 2023-12-07 11:39:04 -0500
  • Dan Esler
    signed 2023-12-06 20:27:52 -0500
  • Jonathan Feldman
    signed 2023-12-06 15:16:28 -0500
  • Sarah Rappleye
    signed 2023-12-05 21:41:58 -0500
  • Ishmael Walker
    signed via 2023-12-05 17:50:43 -0500
  • KaShari Council
    signed 2023-12-05 17:18:28 -0500
  • Roy Taylor
    signed 2023-12-05 12:56:10 -0500
  • Benjamin Taylor
    signed 2023-12-05 12:18:29 -0500
    RG&E has threatened my parents with termination when they couldn’t immediately pay their wildly changing bills. At least in my case I had qualified for HEAP, so when my utility bills abruptly increased those costs were covered. But my parents live on a fixed income. While they could eventually pay the excessive bill, the anxiety remains.
  • Robin Shultz
    signed 2023-12-04 18:38:57 -0500
  • Paola Macas Betchart
    signed 2023-12-01 20:46:58 -0500
  • Mary Taylor
    signed 2023-12-01 20:24:53 -0500
    Great idea!
  • Kasim Wallace
    signed 2023-12-01 19:50:28 -0500
  • Elena Davis
    signed 2023-12-01 09:07:56 -0500
  • Kristieanna Kieffer
    signed 2023-11-29 07:07:11 -0500
  • Melora Miller
    signed 2023-11-26 12:22:49 -0500
  • Jodi Baker
    signed 2023-11-22 18:05:46 -0500
  • Richard Baker
    signed 2023-11-21 16:16:36 -0500
    I live one house away from being served by the Spencerport utility. My neighbors’ bills are half of what I pay. To make matters worse, RG&E consistently asks for rate hikes and their service tends to be slow and unresponsive. I don’t believe them when they say energy would be more expensive via a county-wide conglomerate.
  • Rachel Heberling Ratcliff
    signed 2023-11-18 18:01:36 -0500
    RGE, owned by Avangrid, is price gouging us, and no one can get through to them. The county and city must act NOW.
  • Patrice Lancelot
    signed 2023-11-17 14:55:38 -0500
    I have been trying to get adequate response, billing and follow up from RGE since 10/22. They provide NONE of the above!
  • Jeffrey Nieznanski
    signed 2023-11-16 20:01:48 -0500
  • Christina Ordway
    signed 2023-11-15 20:16:07 -0500

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