KINGSTON— Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D, Esopus) delivered a detailed and data-driven presentation to Ulster County’s Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee Tuesday to establish a publicly owned Hudson Valley Power Authority that would replace investor-owned Central Hudson with a nonprofit regional energy provider.

Shrestha, who represents parts of the Mid-Hudson Valley, did a deep dive into Central Hudson’s current profit structure under Canadian parent company Fortis creates “perverse incentives” to raise rates.

The bill, sponsored in the Senate with Michelle Hinchey, maintains that Central Hudson uses capital-intensive projects that benefit investors rather than customers, said Shrestha.

“Central Hudson is a for-profit monopoly where all risks are passed on to ratepaye

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