Public vs. Private Power: 86% Support Replacing Central Hudson

This Weekend in Poughkeepsie

Author

Trevor Redl
March 01, 2025

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Good morning, Poughkeepsie!

In today’s Poughkeepsie Weekly:

  • Hudson Valley Power Authority Act Poll Results

  • Meet Dylan Murphy 👋 

  • State of the County Address

Let’s get to it.

Meet Dylan Murphy - Journalist at The Poughkeepsie Weekly 

Dylan Murphy is a senior at SUNY New Paltz studying English and Journalism. He’s the News Editor of his university’s paper and interned with Fox Business last semester. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new places, writing creatively, and going on hikes.

Have a story we should cover? Email: [email protected]

THE DIGEST

County Executive Sue Serino has released the 2024 Annual Report. In 2024, the county improved public safety, infrastructure, mental health services, and transit, including 209,515 emergency calls, 30 miles of road upgrades, and a record 880,000 transit trips. Serino will outline 2025 priorities in the State of the County Address on March 11 at 5:30 p.m. at John Jay High School. RSVP.

⚡️ We recently asked for your thoughts on replacing Central Hudson with a publicly owned utility dedicated to lower rates, clean energy, and reliable service. Here’s what you had to say:

A staggering 86% of respondents said yes to replacing Central Hudson with a publicly owned utility. In response, we’re researching the New York Power Authority proposal, exploring other public power models across the country, and reviewing studies on whether public or private utilities better serve consumers. Stay tuned!

Comments From The Audience:

  • “All of the benefits offered and having more public control and input are logical going forward.”

  • “Energy costs are out of control.”

  • “I’ve never seen any government-run business operate cheaper and more effectively than private business.”

  • “Tired of being overcharged and robbed.”

  • “Central Hudson has changed over the years and become very expensive.”

  • “I would support it if that's all it is. The Hudson Valley Power Authority proposal is a sugar-coated poison pill.”

@POUGHKEEPSIEWEEKLY

Vassar Library during sunset

 📷️ Chuck Calio

CIVIL NEWS ⚖️ 

Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie are developing a five-year Consolidated Plan to guide affordable housing and community development funding. To help shape these priorities, residents are encouraged to complete a 10-minute survey by Monday, March 31. The community's input will inform how federal CDBG and HOME funds are allocated to support local housing and economic development needs. Survey.

WEATHER 

Saturday

54 🌡️ 19 | ⛅️ 

Sunday

28 🌡️ 15 | ☀️ 

Monday

33 🌡️ 14 | ☀️ 

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