NRG Community Solar LLC lodged a protest over the lower-than-expected credits Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. and Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc. said that they will award for power from community solar projects, with the developer arguing that the reduced rates jeopardize the viability of its renewable facilities. NRG said that it was recently and unexpectedly informed by Central Hudson and Orange and Rockland that because of the size and the type of grid connection of its community solar facilities, the projects fall under the utilities’ demand rate class, which will cut by up to half the economic value of the credits provided. NRG said that the utilities’ interpretation of the rules and the lower rates are inconsistent with the position of the New York Public Service Commission, which called for a non-demand rate classification that offers a more generous volumetric credit to account for the fact that most of the customers will be smaller in size. NRG Community Solar, a unit of NRG Energy Inc., said it has invested millions of dollars primarily in the territory of Central Hudson and Orange and Rockland.