William J. Kemble reports in The Daily Freeman that Central Hudson wants a 13.5 percent rate increase for electricity and 18.5 percent for natural gas customers. The public, though, can comment to the Public Service Commission before those rate hikes are approved. There are three public hearings on the rate increases: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 3 in Poughkeepsie Town Hall, 1 Overocker Road; Oct. 10 in Kingston City Hall Council Chambers at 420 Broadway; and Oct. 16 in Newburgh Town Hall at 1496 Route 30. Written comments can be submitted before Oct. 20 through the commission website at http://www.dps.ny.gov using the case numbers 17-E-0459 for electric or 17-G-0460 for natural gas, by email at secretary@dps.ny.gov, by mail to Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350; or by phone at (800) 335-2120. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.