Report details utility charges for clean-energy programs

Under the state's landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, residents and businesses, through bill surcharges, share the costs of clean-energy programs implemented by utility providers.

Passed in 2019, the law set goals for reducing the greenhouse gases that fuel climate change by transitioning the state's electricity grid to at least 70 percent renewable sources by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040.

About 8 percent of monthly electricity charges billed in 2024 to a typical Central Hudson residential customer went toward those goals, according to data from the state Department of Public Service. From 10 percent to 13 percent of electric bills incurred by commercial and industrial customers subsidized clean energy.



Central Hudson's gas customers also share in the costs of the energy transition. Last year, they were billed from 91 cents per month for a typical residential bill to $378.35 for the largest industrial users, according to state data.

Just over $60 million of the $80 million in electricity revenue collected by Central Hudson was spent on commercial renewable projects and solar power. Central Hudson also collected $15.8 million for heat-pump installations and other programs and $3.1 million in compensation for energy generated by renewable projects.