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.

  

 

4,548 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?

  • Melody Hudson
    signed 2024-01-27 09:28:41 -0500
  • Megyn Becker
    signed 2024-01-27 08:36:22 -0500
  • Lauren Scholz
    signed 2024-01-25 08:49:04 -0500
  • Hannah Spalding
    signed 2024-01-24 15:46:50 -0500
  • Tonya Tomasino
    signed 2024-01-23 16:18:07 -0500
  • Alex Baker
    signed 2024-01-23 13:50:59 -0500
  • Leena T
    signed 2024-01-23 12:12:34 -0500
  • Kassidy Colton
    signed 2024-01-23 10:54:12 -0500
  • vanessa cao
    signed 2024-01-23 10:17:27 -0500
  • Peter Hentschke
    signed 2024-01-23 09:47:16 -0500
  • Stephen Smeenk
    signed 2024-01-21 05:05:31 -0500
  • Frederick Frey
    signed 2024-01-20 13:47:34 -0500
  • Jenny Stanberry
    signed 2024-01-20 13:26:23 -0500
  • Brian Rook
    signed 2024-01-20 07:14:04 -0500
  • Charles McClarrie
    signed 2024-01-20 00:26:51 -0500
  • Noah Nelson
    signed 2024-01-19 23:36:07 -0500
  • Sean Daly
    signed 2024-01-19 23:04:57 -0500
  • andrea berman
    signed 2024-01-19 23:01:44 -0500
  • Steven Nutter
    signed 2024-01-19 21:51:27 -0500
    RG&E is for the birds! Local companies are the way to go.
  • Allison Tabone
    signed 2024-01-19 21:09:50 -0500
  • Tyler Paine
    signed 2024-01-19 20:57:22 -0500
  • Susan Zuris
    signed 2024-01-19 20:04:42 -0500
    RGE doesn’t care about its customers! Terrible service!
  • Sam Pellegrino
    signed 2024-01-19 20:00:16 -0500
  • Jill Cohen
    signed 2024-01-19 19:40:20 -0500
  • Christopher Gass
    signed 2024-01-19 18:31:18 -0500
  • Audrey Janis
    signed 2024-01-19 18:04:19 -0500
  • Antonia Castranova
    signed 2024-01-19 18:02:05 -0500
  • Ryan Eden
    signed 2024-01-19 17:45:04 -0500
    Yes please! Public, affordable utilities would help so many people in our community!
  • Clayton Cowles
    signed 2024-01-19 16:16:25 -0500
  • Jacob Klassen
    signed 2024-01-19 16:12:50 -0500

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