Rick Karlin reports in the Times Union that Central Hudson has agreed to pay for an independent monitor to verify and correct billing errors for customers, the state Public Service Commission announced on July 27. Central Hudson also agreed to conduct monthly meter readings a year earlier than planned. Central Hudson will pay up to $750,000 for a third-party monitor to oversee billings through June 2024. Customers should see monthly meter readings by December 2024. The Public Service Commission and Central Hudson also said that the PSC will continue to investigate customer billing complaints. Central Hudson has heard many complaints since it began more estimated readings and fewer meter readings in September 2021. Customers complained about bills that were late, and much larger than usual. Public Service Commission Chair and Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Customers rightly expect to receive timely and accurate bills for their utility services.... Unfortunately, our investigation and audit found that Central Hudson wasn’t meeting this basic expectation. There is evidence, however, that the company has corrected many of the problems that led to the billing system errors, and our independent monitor will verify that these corrective actions are working and will be sustained.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.