Amid continued billing issues for customers of utility provider Central Hudson, two Hudson Valley elected officials are introducing a bill to make the utility publicly owned.

Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha and state Senator Michelle Hinchey are sponsoring the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act, which would take the privately owned utility company and put it in the control of a publicly owned community institution.

The hope is such a shift would cut down on costs and billing errors, like the kind Barrytown resident Susan Quasha says she has had for three years.

“Very stressful. It was, you know, I was feeling like I was actually feeling sick," said Quasha, a Central Hudson customer. "Just the thought that I would have to be, you know, trying to get through, trying to get on the phone. I think I spent almost 20 hours on the phone with them.”

This comes during an investigation into Central Hudson’s billing practices. 

At the same time, the Public Service Commission approved a rate hike requested by the company.

Shrestha said there’s already a lot of grassroots support for a public power authority.

“People inherently feel that energy is such a good that is basic, good that is necessary to people, that it should really not be monopolized by profiteers,” she said.

In a statement, Central Hudson said, in part, “Municipalization of utilities is not the best option for the communities we serve. The facts demonstrate municipalization of utilities is not the best option for the communities we serve. The proposed government takeover of electric and gas utility operations in the Hudson Valley raises serious concerns, including significant hidden costs, loss of jobs, and loss of tax revenue for towns and schools."