POUGHKEEPSIE – Central Hudson has announced a 24 percent reduction in customer outages in 2025, driven by the company’s expanded, data-driven vegetation management strategy.
Central Hudson is using advanced AI-driven predictive analytics to identify vegetation risks across its service area, strengthening the reliability of its electric system against a leading cause of outages and further establishing the company as a regional leader in utility innovation.
In 2025, Central Hudson completed an AI-driven program that identified which trees were most likely to fail, when, and where. Based on the program’s success and resulting reliability improvements, the company refocused its vegetation management work, targeting approximately 100 additional locations across the eight-county service area.
“The 24% reduction in outages shows that our investment in innovation and predictive maintenance is making a measurable difference,” said Joel Eline, Chief Transformation Officer of Central Hudson. “AI-supported analytics are helping us predict risks earlier, take action sooner, and strengthen reliability for the homes and businesses that rely on us every day.”
Central Hudson plans to continue the use of AI for targeting specific areas and incorporate “first zone” trimming. The “first zone” is the immediate area that presents the greatest risk during storms. Clearing this area from trees and tree limbs creates a safety buffer around equipment, reduces vegetation-related outages, and improves year-round service reliability for customers.
This work is scheduled ahead of the summer storm season and periods of high energy demand, ensuring the system is prepared for severe weather when reliability matters most. Customers will receive a mailed notice before work begins in their area.
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