# A Public Utility Company for Rochester
## Background
Establishing a public utility company in Rochester has long been discussed in the Upper Monroe neighborhood and around town. The topic was covered in detail at [the UMNA summer general meeting on June 22, 2025](https://www.uppermonroe.com/events-and-meetings/current-year-past-events/2025-june-22-umna-general-meeting). Meeting attendees got a solid background behind the push for a public utility in our area. RGE's past performance was discussed along with how a private utility company compares to a public utility. In addition, the panel described examples from other communities that have already adopted a public utility. Finally, the group heard where the effort currently stands and what comes next in the process.
An informal assessment at the meeting revealed broad support from residents for a publicly owned utility company. Based on the community's interests, the UMNA leadership team took up the question of officially endorsing the idea and thereby opening the door to advocacy.
***
## UPDATE: August, 2025
After careful consideration and discussion on August 17, 2025 [the UMNA leadership team](/contact.md) approved the following position:
*"The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association supports efforts to pursue legal and responsible options to convert from a privately owned & operated utility company (Rochester Gas & Electric) to a yet-to-be-created publicly owned & operated utility company."\**
\* This resolution authorizes UMNA to act alone and in coalition with others who seek a similar outcome. In addition, the UMNA president and anyone else the UMNA president appoints are authorized to help advance this goal.
***
## **Recent published reports on this topic**
WXXI News posted July 1, 2025 - [Double-digit rate hikes could be on the horizon for RG\&E and NYSEG customers](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-07-01/double-digit-rate-hikes-could-be-on-the-horizon-for-rg-e-and-nyseg-customers) by Brian Sharp
The Rochester Beacon posted June 20, 2025 - [RG\&E shows up when it matters most](https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/20/rge-shows-up-when-it-matters-most/) by Patrick Fox
The Rochester Beacon posted June 17, 2025 - [How RG\&E and the PSC are failing us](https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/17/how-rge-and-the-psc-are-failing-us/) by Mitch Gruber and Susan Hughes-Smith
WXXI News posted June 13, 2025 - [RG\&E, NYSEG get new presidents to bolster local leadership](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-06-13/rg-e-nyseg-get-new-presidents-to-bolster-local-leadership) by Brian Sharp
WHEC RochesterFirst posted June 12, 2025 - [RG\&E, NYSEG penalized $20 million by NYS for failing to meet customer service metrics](https://www.rochesterfirst.com/rochester-gas-and-electric/rge-nyseg-penalized-20-million-by-nys-for-failing-to-meet-customer-service-metrics/) by Jim Tortora, Ryan Hermenet
WXXI AM1370 - Connections with Evan Dawson posted May 29, 2025: [RGE responds to the audit.](https://youtu.be/3jwdY6nx6dY)
WXXI AM1370 - [Audit points to RG\&E, NYSEG's lack of local control and focus as being at the root of problems](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-05-21/audit-points-to-rg-e-nysegs-lack-of-local-control-and-focus-as-being-at-the-root-of-problems) by Brian Sharp
News10NBC posted May 19, 2025: [Audit reveals potential violations, prolonged estimated meter readings at RG\&E/NYSEG following News10NBC investigations](https://www.whec.com/top-news/audit-reveals-potential-violations-prolonged-estimated-meter-readings-at-rge-nyseg-following-news10nbc-investigations/) by Jennifer Lewke
## [CLICK HERE TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON THIS MATTER TO THE UPPER MONROE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeHfnPlAxzq9owOy0Hs1Ski5qAh3ocxxGkHBrfgyBpU1GKxw/viewform?usp=header)
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