Side by side (NY, EIA-861)
| Metric | Central Hudson Gas & Electric | Orange & Rockland Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 25.14 | 23.31 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 25.12 | 23.46 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $2,716 | $2,517 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 229,592 | 170,465 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Investor-owned |
| Fixed monthly charge (URDB) | $22.50/mo | $20.00/mo |
| Energy rate range, $/kWh (URDB) | 0.281 | 0.064–0.076 |
| Counties served in NY | 7 | 3 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Central Hudson Gas & Electric · Orange & Rockland Utilities · New York overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Orange county (NY, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Central Hudson Gas & Electric and Orange & Rockland Utilities do not compete for the same meters. New York does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at dps.ny.gov. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Central Hudson Gas & Electric cheaper than Orange & Rockland Utilities?
- No — in 2024 Central Hudson Gas & Electric customers averaged 25.14 cents/kWh versus 23.31 for Orange & Rockland Utilities (EIA-861). Orange & Rockland Utilities was cheaper by 1.84 cents, about $199 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Central Hudson Gas & Electric to Orange & Rockland Utilities?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. New York does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at dps.ny.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
- Why is Central Hudson Gas & Electric more expensive than Orange & Rockland Utilities?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Central Hudson and Orange & Rockland territory all feed the 1.84-cent gap.