A community group requests a public utility review after accusing RG&E of implementing excessive shutoffs in 2024

Rochester, New York – A neighborhood advocacy group called Metro Justice is voicing concerns about what it calls a crisis of electricity shutoffs by Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E).

According to the group, in 2024, over 13,000 accounts—roughly 12,000 residential and 1,000 commercial accounts—were disconnected.

“We think that’s incredibly startling,” Metro Justice campaign and policy organizer Dr. Michi Wenderlich said. “We’re also tired of RG&E’s reckless and predatory practices, and the foreign corporation that owns RG&E is draining our community of resources while leaving us out in the cold.”

However, RG&E contests that the situation qualifies as a crisis.

The business clarified that after pausing the process during the COVID-19 epidemic, it restarted its regular procedure of disconnecting past-due accounts in 2024.

RG&E reports that by the end of 2024, it owes $200 million in overdue payments on 57% of its accounts.

Christine Alexander, RG&E’s vice president of customer service, remarked, “It’s almost a catch up, right?” “If you have zero for a couple of years, or hundreds for a couple of years, then you make up that difference.”

Alexander underlined that RG&E makes several attempts to get in touch with consumers via phone calls, emails, invoices, and door knocks prior to disconnecting services, and that service termination is not an automatic process.

Alexander clarified, “So it’s not an automatic termination,” “We make an effort to get clients to get in touch with us so that a payment plan can be established. We inform them of the services offered by the state that are accessible to them.

Additionally, according to Metro Justice, RG&E generated a $121 million profit in 2024. The corporation denies this amount, claiming that all earnings are put back into system upgrades.
“So really, our community is suffering, and we need our leaders to stand up and act,” Wenderlich stated.

Metro Justice protested RG&E’s pricing and earnings on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday night, alleging that shutoffs escalated following the lifting of the COVID-19 era embargo.

In April 2024, the Monroe County Legislature denied the group’s repeated requests for a public utility study.

Rochester resident Justine Harris talked about her experience staying in a motel when RG&E turned off her electricity because of a $6,000 payment from her old apartment.

“I could have found a place to go if it had just been me. However, I am a mother with kids,” Harris remarked. “It’s incorrect. Furthermore, we must be in charge of our own power. and our own energies, as they profit handsomely while we suffer.”

RG&E underlined its attempts to get in touch and collaborate with clients, but said it is unable to comment on specific accounts.

“We have over 400 reps sitting here waiting for calls, right?” “Said Alexander.” In order to make that arrangement, the objective is to get in touch with us. You have not replied to our attempts for months by the time we reach the disconnection phase.”

Service termination is the least desirable alternative, Alexander reaffirmed. “I want to make sure that we’re clear on one thing — that termination of service is an absolute last resort,” she stated.
RG&E said that although it is unable to publicly discuss specific accounts, it is prepared to assist clients who are having billing problems.

“If you’re a month behind, those are not the customers that we’re looking to terminate,” Alexander stated. “We want you to call us, want you to make an arrangement.”