You — our members and supporters — generously supported us this Roc the Day for Rochester's premier Giving Tuesday event. But despite a true groundswell of support, we remain short of our $7,500  fundraising goal we set for ourselves of $7,500 before the end of the year. But it's not too late to meet it.

That's why we're aiming — through memberships and one-time contributions — to raise those funds by the end of the year. It's imperative that we remain strong for this community and the many fights ahead of us in 2026. We're extending our fundraising efforts through the month of December.

To make a difference in the year ahead, go to metrojustice.org/membership to join, renew, your membership, or check your status — or to metrojustice.org/donate to make a one-time contribution.

Everything we do we owe to the support of this community. Thank you for whatever you can do.

We've gotten a good start on getting the word out and scheduling visits with legislators - now we need enough of us to join in and finish the work! Here is the direct zoom link for this meeting; if you will be joining by phone, the local number to use is +16468769923,,3405715325#

Please sign up below if you intend to come - it will help to know how many people to expect, and to be able to send out reminders. We're asking for phone numbers to help keep in touch and addresses so that we can figure out ahead who is in what legislative district.

We will start with a very brief intro for people who are new to the New York Health campaign, then break into interest groups to cover:

• checking over the flier map and arranging for flier deliveries - and scheduling a DIY maker event for half sheet holders for businesses to use! 
• setting up legislative visits with Western NY Senators and Assemblypeople, to ask them to cosponsor the bill (those who have not) or increase their support
• social media team

The meeting will end by 8, but people who have questions will be welcome to stay a little later to get answers.

Welcome to Rochester for Energy Democracy (R.E.D.)!

RED is Metro Justice’s campaign to replace foreign-owned RG&E in 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. It's time for change. That’s why replacing RG&E with a public utility is necessary and holds the promise of lower rates, improved service, the restoration of good local union jobs, and and a renewable energy transition accessible to all.

At our biweekly organizing meetings, we discuss aspects of our strategy to win, determine collective action items, and delegate work. This committee is the heart of our campaign, and a great way to get involved to make a difference and meet our community of volunteers leading this fight. 

We'll meet at the Metro Justice Office from 6-8 PM. Please RSVP below! We welcome folks bringing snacks and drinks to share if you would like to do so. 

For some background on RED: For-profit, investor-owned utilities like RG&E keep raising our rates. In May 2025, a 34% rate hike went into effect, yet RG&E continues to neglect grid maintenance and expand fossil fuel infrastructure. On top of that, RG&E and its multinational owners are asking for another 34% increase, this is more money coming out of our pockets for what? For RG&E to line shareholders' pockets, all while they missbill and exploit our communities. RG&E continues to invest in oil and gas, while continuing to lobby against a transition to renewable energy. As a result, we all pay more than we should in energy bills while the continued use of fossil fuels pushes us towards catastrophic environmental damage. 

In R.E.D., we believe that in order to combat the climate crisis and ensure environmental justice in the long-term, we must fundamentally transform our energy economy. We need to build an energy system that meets the needs of communities instead of meeting the greed of distant investors and CEOs. We also need a shift to energy that is 100% clean and renewable. We believe this is possible if we takeover RG&E with a public, local, and community-controlled utility. This will give communities a say in what kind of energy we use, whom we get it from, and how the money we pay is used to benefit our community. Furthermore, everyone could only pay what is necessary to develop and maintain energy infrastructure, taking millions in profits for investors and CEOs out of the picture. We can also make sure that all jobs associated with the utility are local union jobs that pay family-sustaining wages with benefits. 

A community-driven energy system needs the involvement of people in our community to succeed. So are you ready to take the fight to RG&E? To join us at our next meeting, please RSVP below!

Directions to our office: 

- The address is 389 Gregory Street, Unit A. 

- Please use the Cayuga Street entrance; come to the large double doors with a keypad on it. 

- Enter, go up the stairs to the second floor. Unit A will be on the right.