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.

  

 

2,639 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?

  • Rahmaan Muhammad
    signed 2025-03-12 17:29:44 -0400
    RGE bills have been in the 300-600 range every month since we’ve moved last May that’s wild….
  • Grace DiMatteo
    signed 2025-03-12 14:05:17 -0400
  • Marika McMeans
    signed 2025-03-10 12:54:41 -0400
  • Ravi Lamontagne
    signed 2025-03-10 01:51:07 -0400
  • Juan Nanco
    signed 2025-03-09 14:51:52 -0400
  • Rick B
    signed 2025-03-09 13:16:11 -0400
  • Alexandra Kent
    signed 2025-03-09 08:15:58 -0400
  • Laura Bufano
    signed 2025-03-08 22:03:13 -0500
  • Kara Lin
    signed 2025-03-08 16:34:20 -0500
  • Greg Detwiler
    signed 2025-03-08 16:22:47 -0500
    RGE is terrible. My bill is $1400. And it’s always been $200-300
  • Anita Platis
    signed 2025-03-08 15:24:39 -0500
    RGE takes advantage of the areas they service in such an extreme way. This needs to change.
  • Alex Giammarva
    signed 2025-03-08 13:54:05 -0500
    Something has to change
  • Brandon Vulaj
    signed 2025-03-08 13:45:08 -0500
  • Simone Macirella
    signed 2025-03-08 13:14:30 -0500
  • Melanie Valencia
    signed 2025-03-08 13:04:40 -0500
  • Gina Bray
    signed 2025-03-08 12:37:57 -0500
    I am sick and tired of having to sacrifice my groceries to heat my house, RG&E is raping their customers. My bills jumped over $250/ mth and they keep going higher and RG &E could care less
  • Madison Leonard
    signed 2025-03-08 12:37:12 -0500
  • Zachariah Barfield
    signed 2025-03-08 12:35:07 -0500
  • Matt Tatum
    signed 2025-03-08 12:24:35 -0500
  • Andrew Sexton
    signed 2025-03-08 12:14:09 -0500
  • Travis Hardiman
    signed 2025-03-08 12:12:08 -0500
    Hell yeah, RG&E sucks.
  • Lauren Klafehn
    signed 2025-03-08 12:08:27 -0500
  • Timothy Norton
    signed 2025-03-08 12:07:36 -0500
  • Sophia Piazza
    signed 2025-03-08 12:01:42 -0500
  • Jordan Doyle
    signed 2025-03-08 11:49:40 -0500
  • Hunter Flood
    signed 2025-03-08 11:39:38 -0500
  • Jake Speedy
    signed 2025-03-08 11:36:46 -0500
    1688 Blossom Rd, Rochester NY 14610 585-613-6074 Jake Speedy
  • Jacob Willsey
    signed 2025-03-08 11:34:01 -0500
  • Jude Tinto
    signed 2025-03-08 11:33:58 -0500
  • Jared Torres
    signed 2025-03-08 11:32:32 -0500
    Thank you for stepping up and acknowledging this absurdity.

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