Kymara Lonergan is among the Hudson Valley residents still trying to manage electric bill costs from Central Hudson Gas & Electric. She’s trying to maintain her family farm, but monthly increases to her bill make that difficult.

On Easter Sunday, Lonergan checked her account balance via a phone service and was shocked by the charges, so much so that she recorded the voice message on her phone.

“The total due on this account is $16,585.76 cents. If you would like to pay your balance in full, press one,” the Central Hudson Gas and Electric voice recording stated.

Things spiraled from there.

Lonergan said she dealt with mental health challenges as she tried to figure out how she was going to foot the bill.

“There are some days I’m so depressed, because that is hanging over my head like the guillotine. I don’t know, ultimately, what’s going to happen,” said Lonergan.

Among her animals are horses and her prized emus, Alice and Gina. She’s raised them from hatchlings, and has created a sanctuary for them at her home.

“When I was a kid, my mom always called me ‘Emu’ because I saw them on a TV show and always wanted one,” said Lonergan.

But in order to keep Alice and Gina, she’s become very deliberate about her energy usage.

“Conscious of having lights on whatsoever in here,” said Lonergan. “I don’t know if that makes much of a difference, but at least I feel like I’m doing something.”

She is using lights in her barn as little as possible, solar-based electric fencing and farm equipment that conserves power. It's all to relieve anxiety and the pressure of a higher bill.

“How am I going to rehome them if I cannot sustain here? If that electric bill is going to drain every part of our paycheck, every bit of our ability…every penny that comes out of the farm, how can I? You can’t live like that,” said Lonergan.

In a statement, Central Hudson said, “The vast majority of Central Hudson customers have received accurate bills since the new system was implemented last September, and billing for more complicated energy services, including Community Solar and third-party suppliers, is also now up to date.”

Since January, Central Hudson has consistently raised its energy rates per 100 cubic feet. In January 2022, it was recorded at 56 cents per 100 cubic feet, and peaked at 97 cents in April, according to the company.

They updated their rates to reflect a price drop to 64 cents per cubic feet on May 2.

“These prices are determined by the energy markets, and are not marked up by Central Hudson,” according to the company.

But the rates continue to heighten the stakes for Hudson Valley residents hoping to stay afloat.

“That’s my family. That’s what the farm was based on,” said Lonergan.