In a setback for Rochester’s public power movement, the Monroe County Legislature Tuesday rejected a proposed feasibility study to replace Rochester Gas & Electric with a public energy utility. Members of Metro Justice blasted the decision, but vowed to fight on.

“The Democratic Party majority was elected to do the people’s business, and this was their first big test,” said Mohini Sharma, Organizing Director for Metro Justice. “Tonight the County Legislature chose to put the interests of a multinational corporation over those of their constituents. Monroe County residents deserve a future in which we are no longer beholden to a profit-driven, foreign company for our basic energy needs, and we will continue to fight for that future.”

Several paths remain open to the campaign for public power in the immediate future, including introducing an updated proposal to the County Legislature; pursuing state legislation for a countywide study; or pursuing a feasibility study led by the City of Rochester.

BACKGROUND: Rochester for Energy Democracy is a grassroots campaign to replace RG&E with a public, not-for-profit, community-controlled, unionized energy utility in Monroe County. The campaign is led by Metro Justice, a Rochester-based social and economic justice organization founded in 1965, with the support of a diverse coalition of local labor, faith, and community organizations, as well as hundreds of Monroe County residents.

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