Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that as of April 1, Central Hudson monthly utility bills will include a half-percent surcharge. And while customers locally have been mad at Central Hudson for high costs and estimated billing, this surcharge is not their fault. It is part of a New York State program to give all low income New Yorkers forgiveness of up to $2,000 in utility bills in arrears prior to May 1, 2022. The One-Time Bill Credit Program is available for New Yorkers who qualified for home energy assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security Supplemental Income, and federal public housing assistance. Gov. Kathy Hochul said of the program, “Earlier this month, I laid out extensive proposals to make energy more affordable in my State of the State address, and with this historic electric and gas utility relief we’re achieving another major milestone to help New Yorkers stay warm during the cold winter months.” The program's budget is $672.1 million, which is going to 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.