Record growth in energy use is prompting Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation to invest millions of dollars in its electric energy delivery system in order to meet higher demand and improve service reliability for its customers.

“Our customers set several new energy records this summer and last, and trends clearly show increasing energy use throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley,” said Carl E. Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Central Hudson. The highest peak demand of 1,295 mega-watts of electricity was set August 2, 2006.

“Our customers have also told us that service reliability is paramount, as homes and business depend on the consistent, around-the-clock delivery of energy,” Meyer said. “Our ongoing investments in the electric delivery system, together with service reliability initiatives, will improve overall service to our customers while meeting this growing demand for energy.”

Over the next three years, Central Hudson will invest more than $158 million in its electric transmission and distribution system to serve increasing customer demand for energy. The utility will also invest $30 million in tree trimming to improve service reliability during storms and severe weather. “Since 1993, Central Hudson has invested more than a half-billion dollars in the region’s transmission and distribution system, improving service reliability and upgrading system capacity as a result,” said Meyer. “Despite these benefits, we see room for improvement, and these latest investments will further reinforce the system and address areas of growth within the region.”

Improvements will include rebuilding transmission lines, upgrading and constructing new substations and reinforcing local distribution lines. Additional resources will also be used to trim trees and vegetation that grow near and around electric transmission and distribution lines, and an enhanced trimming program will be initiated to address those areas where vegetation has the largest impact on service reliability.

“High quality electric service is vital to homes and businesses. As our region continues to grow, and as our customers become more dependent on energy to run households and conduct business, the delivery infrastructure must be bolstered to meet their needs,” said Meyer. “We will continue to maintain and reinforce our system, as we always have, in a way that effectively improves service at a reasonable cost.”

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