KINGSTON – Two state assemblymen, both Democrats, Thursday blasted the state Department of Public Service for striking a deal that will see Central Hudson gas and electric delivery rates go up over a three year period.

Kevin Cahill of Kingston and Frank Skartados of Milton said the deal will seriously hurt the consumer.

Cahill said he will lobby to have the deal quashed. “The backroom deal that was forged between Central Hudson, the Public Service Commission and a group of big business interveners can do nothing but cripple the efforts that we are undergoing to repair the economy of New York State and to help folks bet through this very difficult time,” he said. “This rate increase is the last thing people need when they are trying to get back on their feet after suffering this great recession that we’ve been having.”

Skartados said it is “offensive" for the PSC to make a closed door deal “allowing a company with a CEO who makes more than a million dollars a year to raise our rates while hardworking families struggle to make ends meet.”