Rochester Residents Want to Kick Out Their Utility - New York Focus

Rochester Residents Want to Kick Out Their Utility | New York Focus

Inside the Fight to Kick Out Rochester’s Power Company

Metro Justice

The Rochester City Council passed a resolution to study a public power takeover. But it's only a first step. | Metro Justice

In New York’s third-largest city, locals are sick of skyrocketing bills and dirty fuel sources. They’re fighting against long odds for the public to own the grid.

Colin Kinniburgh· June 26, 2023

“RG&E uses our money to enrich the shareholders of its parent companies instead of investing in a reliable grid for residents,” said Metro Justice organizer Mohini Sharma. “The only way to do something about it is to take back control of the grid." | Colin Kinniburgh

Darryl Ballard said his bills quadrupled up to $2,200. His frustration pushed him to join the campaign for public power. | Colin Kinniburgh

“I got tired of screaming at them.”

—Daryl Ballard, RG&E customer who joined the public power campaign

“I think that they’re listening more to RG&E than they are to the citizens of Monroe County.”

—Sabrina LaMar, Monroe County legislature president

One councilmember worried Tuesday's resolution was "a way to appease the activists, but not actually move forward." | Metro Justice

Support for this story was provided by The Neal Peirce Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting journalism on ways to make cities and their larger regions work better for all people.

Colin Kinniburgh is a reporter at New York Focus, covering the state’s climate and environmental politics. Over a decade in media, he has worked in print, television, audio, and online news, and participated in fellowship programs at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism and…
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