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.

  

 

4,424 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?

  • Lincoln All
    signed 2026-03-06 10:30:17 -0500
  • Owen DeVivo
    signed 2026-03-06 10:18:13 -0500
  • Kristina O'Brien
    signed 2026-03-06 09:24:53 -0500
  • Valen Cavalier
    signed 2026-03-06 06:21:31 -0500
  • Rashaud McFadden
    signed 2026-03-06 04:53:39 -0500
  • Ric Crist
    signed 2026-03-06 01:43:12 -0500
  • Steven Olthoff
    signed 2026-03-05 23:33:56 -0500
  • Raechel Campisi
    signed 2026-03-05 23:17:03 -0500
  • Holly LaVoy
    signed 2026-03-05 22:01:58 -0500
  • Rodney Swartwood
    signed 2026-03-05 20:25:37 -0500
  • Karina Castro
    signed 2026-03-05 16:48:50 -0500
  • Melissa Conroy
    signed 2026-03-05 12:55:57 -0500
  • Kiara Babbitt
    signed 2026-03-05 12:22:23 -0500
  • Ajalaa Williams
    signed 2026-03-05 11:52:34 -0500
    RGE making $120 M in profits, which is attained through extortion. Say no to robber barons. RGE offers no social or economic benefits to our community. They are raping us.
  • Ana Maldonado
    signed 2026-03-05 11:49:56 -0500
    My RG&e is sky high I live in my apartment with just my granddaughter and it’s still 800 plus a month in an apartment
  • Julie Finer
    signed 2026-03-05 11:37:27 -0500
  • Toby Harris
    signed 2026-03-05 09:46:12 -0500
  • Krystal Lorenzo
    signed 2026-03-05 09:42:22 -0500
  • Peter Nicholson
    signed 2026-03-05 09:26:41 -0500
    rge and nyseg can collectively kill themselves.
  • Jeff Rudolph
    signed 2026-03-05 08:32:41 -0500
  • Chris Ferioli
    signed 2026-03-05 08:29:29 -0500
  • Thomas Goodman
    signed 2026-03-05 08:13:40 -0500
  • Daniel Backus
    signed 2026-03-05 08:12:37 -0500
    Why are my representatives allowing a Spanish company to price gouge me and my community. PROBABLY BECAUSE THAT COMPANY PAYS THEM
  • Jim Voit
    signed 2026-03-05 08:12:25 -0500
  • Chris Bordley
    signed 2026-03-05 07:23:38 -0500
  • David Dupuis
    signed 2026-03-05 07:16:51 -0500
  • Kole Meehan
    signed 2026-03-05 07:10:00 -0500
  • Umer Usman
    signed 2026-03-05 06:39:30 -0500
    Ridiculous levels of delivery charges for the level of their service. Blind greed.
  • Amanda Carson
    signed 2026-03-05 06:25:47 -0500
  • Crystal Peoples
    signed 2026-03-05 05:05:06 -0500

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