Saw This One Coming!

Our friends at National Grid, our only option to supply us with natural gas and electricity, have requested a 15% - 20% rate hike from the NY State Public Service Commission, citing increased costs for everything from utility poles to wire.  Inflation aside, this had to happen. 

Given all the extra work and expenses that the PSC recently mandated on National Grid in the form of natural gas line replacement (it isn't just Hudson where it's taking place!), the state agency will no doubt agree to National Grid's plea for a rate increase.  I can't imagine how much it is costing NG just to overhaul our gas pipes, let alone every other municipality the PSC has told them to handle.

Meanwhile, over in the 300 block of Warren, National Grid's gas line replacement crew of 3, even when they do show up, continue to "work" at a snail's pace.  Monday and Friday (pictured) there was no activity.  Tuesday and Thursday there was an active crew of three, and I failed to notice if anyone was there on Wednesday.  Last week was about the same, with 2 or 3 days of activity.  On Thursday, I asked a worker who was sweeping the street if the crew felt any urgency to complete the block.  He didn't have any interest in acknowledging me or responding.  They know better.  I never see, or hear about, Robert Perry giving NG a hard time about taking forever. 

According to my notes, that portion of the NG project -- just one block -- began on or about May 5th at 4th Street.  May fucking 5th!  Have you seen all the white painted boxes in the street slated for excavation they still have  to go?  Soon it will be 4 months of "work," they still won't be close to finishing, and the street will be months away from being by repaved by the hacks from Troy.  I'm thinking that won't happen until next year in the spring or summer.  Oh, and the orange cones will stick around for at least another 6 months, too!

Please PSC, give National Grid the rate hike and extra money they so desperately need because of what you have done to them so that they can hire a fourth person for their crew in the 300 block of State so that they can finish up that one block before the end of the year!  Think of the rate hike as a Christmas gift to the City of Hudson.  Please, do it!  We'll pay extra for gas and electricity just to get them the hell out of here!