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?

  • Alexander Wood
    signed 2025-04-14 15:49:20 -0400
    As a physician I see the devastating human consequence of “increased costs of living,” with big bills for basics like electricity and rent leaving people in the cold, frostbitten without their toes or feet, or congregating in small spaces for close quarters that breed outbreaks of infectious disease like COVID-19. Utilities are utilities, not luxuries, and it’s time we treat them that way.
  • Amy Cavalier
    signed 2025-04-14 11:05:06 -0400
  • Alyssa Faticone
    signed 2025-04-13 19:03:39 -0400
  • Jeanne Durham
    signed 2025-04-13 17:40:11 -0400
  • Glynis Scott
    signed 2025-04-12 17:05:13 -0400
    RGE is a terrible company—horrible customer service.
  • Nick Schroeder
    signed 2025-04-12 00:22:06 -0400
  • Michael Rao
    signed 2025-04-11 19:11:08 -0400
  • Zach Herrnreiter
    signed 2025-04-11 10:42:45 -0400
  • Holly Hollister
    signed 2025-04-10 10:21:55 -0400
  • Maeve McClusky
    signed 2025-04-10 10:18:47 -0400
  • Christopher Cornish
    signed 2025-04-10 05:52:06 -0400
  • Josh Hazelton
    signed 2025-04-10 05:31:47 -0400
  • Anna Jo Kates
    signed 2025-04-09 18:40:00 -0400
  • Zoe Williams
    signed 2025-04-09 17:42:53 -0400
  • Kris Vogel
    signed 2025-04-09 16:42:01 -0400
  • Liam Morris
    signed 2025-04-09 16:22:54 -0400
  • Darlene Ardila
    signed 2025-04-09 16:17:44 -0400
  • Brittany Morris
    signed 2025-04-09 15:52:55 -0400
  • Eric Michelena
    signed 2025-04-09 15:22:25 -0400
  • Michele Cotrufo
    signed 2025-04-09 14:21:15 -0400
    I have lived in four different countries in the last 15 years, and dealt with dozens of different utility companies. RGE is literally the most incompetent and scammy company I ever had to deal with. I am glad that I have to rely on them only for gas!
  • Karen Lindsay
    signed 2025-04-08 19:29:05 -0400
  • Alicia Cardinell
    signed 2025-04-08 15:33:39 -0400
  • Josephine Schultz
    signed 2025-04-07 12:50:41 -0400
  • Justin Montione
    signed 2025-04-06 23:32:47 -0400
  • Michael Wells
    signed 2025-04-06 21:25:36 -0400
  • Meredith Szczepanski
    signed 2025-04-06 21:12:46 -0400
  • Eliza Gramarye
    signed 2025-04-06 13:07:21 -0400
  • Jason Cloen
    signed 2025-04-06 06:47:13 -0400
  • Luis Carrion-Diaz
    signed 2025-04-06 02:29:18 -0400
  • Jay Iocco
    signed 2025-04-06 01:43:15 -0400

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