The non-profit group Walkway Over the Hudson received a donation of $2,500 from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation on behalf of the 2,500 customers who participated in the utility’s eBills electronic billing promotion. For every customer who switched to electronic billing and payment plan through May 15, Central Hudson pledged to contribute one dollar to Walkway. A check was presented by Central Hudson’s President James P. Laurito to Walkway Immediate Past Chair Fred Schaeffer,
Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart and Board Members during a ceremony on the bridge on Wednesday, June 16.
“The Walkway has been a resounding success for residents and visitors to the Mid-Hudson Valley, and this contribution will help the organization complete planned enhancements,” said Laurito.
“During my seven years as Chairman of Walkway Over the Hudson, Central Hudson has been a good neighbor and unwavering supporter of our project to create a public Walkway,” said Schaeffer. “This donation is just one more outstanding example of that support and their commitment to the betterment of our community. We hope that those who participated in this promotion know we are indebted to Central Hudson for their commitment to us and the environment,” he said.
“By switching to electronic billing during this promotion, our customers benefit by using a convenient, environmentally friendly way to receive and pay their utility bills, and in doing so also helped the Walkway raise funds for ongoing work that benefits the entire region,” said Laurito. “Enrollment in eBills is free, and allows customers to view and pay energy bills entirely online, eliminating paper bills, envelopes and postage stamps.”
More than 27,000 Central Hudson customers have switched to electronic billing. Laurito explained that if every Central Hudson customer enrolled in the eBills program, each year nearly 730 trees would be spared. In total, customers together would save more than $1 million in return postage costs, and expenses associated with bill processing and mailing would be reduced by nearly $1 million, with these savings ultimately passed back to customers. The environmental impacts associated with mail transportation, printing and ink would also be avoided.
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| Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation President James P. Laurito (second from right) presented a check for $2,500 to the non-profit group Walkway Over the Hudson, recipient of the utility’s promotional program to encourage customers to switch to electronic billing. Walkway representatives, from left, are Fred Schaeffer, Immediate Past Chair; Board Members William Keating and Robert Mallory; Vice Chair James Hammond; Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart; past Board Member David Rocco; and Board Member Richard Coller. |
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This is the third consecutive year Central Hudson has supported a service organization when customers switch to electronic billing and payment. In 2008 and 2009, contributions were provided to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees on behalf of customers who enrolled in the eBills paperless billing plan. This year, the promotion benefits a local organization, Walkway Over the Hudson. Together, more than 6,000 customers have switched to eBills through these promotions, and more than $6,000 has been donated to these service organizations.
Central Hudson also assisted Walkway during its construction by donating property and providing easements on the west end of the bridge for a parking area and visitor’s center, and at the Poughkeepsie waterfront for the future installation of an elevator. Both parties worked cooperatively to provide access for construction workers and their equipment while ensuring the safety of nearby utility facilities.
For more information on the eBills electronic billing and payment program and other payment options, visit www.CentralHudson.com; and for information on Walkway Over the Hudson, visit http://walkway.org.
