U.S. Representative Josh Riley, a Democrat representing Ithaca, has called on utilities in his district, including Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., to suspend service terminations for federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown. In response, Central Hudson highlighted its existing support programs for customers struggling to pay their utility bills.
In a letter dated October 27, 2023, Central Hudson’s President and CEO, Stephanie R. Raymond, assured Riley of the company’s commitment to assist customers during tough times. “Central Hudson has compassionately worked with customers for more than 125 years and we have an unwavering commitment to continue to help customers through difficult times with dignity and understanding—including our customers impacted by the federal government shutdown,” Raymond stated.
Central Hudson offers various forms of assistance, including deferred payment agreements and collaboration with local and regional partners to support customers unable to pay their utility bills. One notable initiative is the Good Neighbor Fund, which helps those who may not qualify for other state and federal programs. Raymond emphasized that this fund is bolstered by contributions from Central Hudson customers, matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
With the heating season approaching, Raymond urged Riley to work with his congressional colleagues to ensure funding remains available for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She described this funding as critical for assisting vulnerable customers with heating costs.
Riley, however, expressed frustration with Central Hudson’s response. In a statement, he criticized the utility, saying, “After years of billing errors and shipping our hard-earned dollars overseas, no one in Upstate New York trusts Central Hudson to do the right thing.” He demanded clarity from the utility regarding whether they would proceed with service terminations for approximately 4,000 federal workers in his district during the shutdown.
In his correspondence with utilities, Riley requested that they refrain from charging late fees or sending federal employees’ accounts to collection agencies while they are not receiving pay. He questioned the company’s priorities, stating, “If these companies can afford executive bonuses and armies of lobbyists, then they can afford to give a little grace to working families who are already paying some of the highest utility bills in the country.”
While Raymond’s letter acknowledged the need for support and collaboration, it did not directly address Riley’s specific requests. She also invited him to visit Central Hudson’s headquarters to better understand the efforts of the utility’s frontline employees.
Alongside Central Hudson, Riley has extended similar demands to other utilities, including NYSEG and National Grid, urging them to provide relief for federal workers during the shutdown.
As discussions continue, the focus remains on how utilities will respond to the needs of their customers during this challenging period.
