Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced last week that in response to his formal request for an investigation regarding Central Hudson, the New York State Public Service Commission has opened an investigation into the company’s customer information system implementation and billing practices. County Executive Pat Ryan is encouraging residents to submit official complaints to the commission via the DPS webportal (link is external).

“This is an urgent issue for countless residents across Ulster County who have been severely impacted by the failed implementation of Central Hudson’s new billing system, which was compounded by unexpected and unprecedented bill surges,” Executive Pat Ryan said. “I want to thank DPS for their immediate attention to this matter, and to reassure Ulster County residents that their concerns are being taken very seriously by my office. Your input into this investigation is needed, and I encourage all impacted residents to submit comments.”

Under New York State Public Service Law Section 71, County Executive Pat Ryan had the legal authority to call for an investigation, and his March 3rd letter cited Ulster County residents’ concerns ranging from not receiving bills for months, to extremely over-estimated bills, to large automatic withdrawals from customers’ accounts without notice. Since September, at least 11,000 Central Hudson electricity customers have experienced billing problems.

To submit public comment to the DPS investigation, visit on.ny.gov. Individuals who are unable to access a computer to make a complaint can call the Ulster County Recovery Service Center at 845-443-8888. It is anticipated that the DPS investigation will go on for several months.