Local News
Reactions from RG&E and community supporters to Monroe County’s denial of funding for a public utility study
Rochester, New York – The Monroe County Legislature has voted against funding a public utility study.
Tuesday night, legislators voted 16 to 13 against committing $1 million for the study, which would get rid of RG&E amid a wave of billing concerns and customer complaints.
Several people in the community who support a feasibility study chanted in the legislature chambers after the vote’s results were announced.
Community groups have been calling on county leaders to fund an independent investigation into replacing RG&E with a not-for-profit community-owned utility.
The City of Rochester had already pledged $500,000 to the study but needed the county to be on the same page before the funds could be used.
RG&E said it appreciates the legislature’s vote, while advocates for the study said legislators should have given the idea a chance.
“After Tuesday night’s vote, we have worked incredibly hard to improve customer service, reliability, and resiliency over the last year and a half,” RG&E Communications Manager Alexis Arnold stated. “This has all been a distraction, and now, more than 800 employees who work in Rochester are looking forward to continuing to focus on showing and proving to our customers they are our top priority.”
“We ought to have a fair opportunity to decide where our heat and power originate from. We were denied that option today by the Monroe County Legislature,” asserted Mohini Sharma, the organizing director of the neighborhood’s grassroots group Metro Justice. But we don’t have to keep allowing them to act in that manner. We can carry on the battle.”
Metro Justice said it’s exploring other levels of government to pursue a public utility study.
-
Local News1 week ago
Friends and family assemble to honor the victim of the Driving Park Bridge hit-and-run
-
New York7 days ago
Due to the bird flu, New York has added new, temporary regulations for the import of dairy cattle
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Strong Hospital has a significant police presence during a search for a man from Livingston County
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Numerous people walk to bring attention to Black maternal mortality
-
Local News2 weeks ago
22 exotic animals left behind in a downtown Rochester building following the eviction of the tenant
-
Local News2 weeks ago
By April 29, RCSD intends to name an interim superintendent
-
Local News2 weeks ago
With the help of her kids, a Rochester teacher runs the Boston Marathon
-
Local News1 week ago
This weekend, there will be cleanup events in the Rochester region