Mid-Hudson News reports that on July 31 Central Hudson Gas and Electric proposed an approximately 16 percent increase on the average residential electric bill and approximately 19 percent increase on the average residential natural gas bill beginning in June 2024. The utility, currently under fire for estimated billing irregularities, says it needs the large rate increases to replace aging infrastructure. Central Hudson just announced it will have outside overseers watch the utility's billing, and will return to reading meters, rather than estimating bills. Customers of Central Hudson reported late, and very large bills, since the utility switched to estimated billing. The Public Service Commission would need to approve a rate increase. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.