September 30, 2025
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), the Ranking Minority Conference member on the Energy Committee continued his statewide energy tour in Long Island, where he was joined by many of his Assembly and Senate colleagues. This was the final of six scheduled stops across the state where Palmesano and his colleagues held Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with legislative Democrats, accountable for their disastrous and costly energy policies that are raising utility rates and will continue to do so. The policies will eliminate consumer energy choice on their march to full electrification of the grid and have no consideration for energy affordability, reliability or feasibility.
Earlier this month, the members wrote a letter to Gov. Hochul and NYSERDA President Doreen Harris urging her to listen to the voices of everyday New Yorkers by having additional hearings and extending the public comment period. “For years, my colleagues and I have warned that the radical energy/climate agenda being pushed by Albany Democrats would make life more expensive for New Yorkers, and now it is finally happening. Under the not-so-watchful eye of Gov. Hochul, we have seen energy affordability, reliability, feasibility and consumer energy choice take a back seat to please the radical Green New Deal advocates. Our Democratic colleagues told us we were simply fear-mongering, but the fact of the matter is, we were right all along. The average New Yorker will now continue to pay more per month while sacrificing energy choice, reliability and risking overwhelming the grid. And the worst part about this is it does nothing to save the environment. New York contributes just 0.4% of global emissions worldwide, while China contributes 30%, has 1,000 coal plants and is building more every week. In fact, even if we achieved 0% emissions, the effect on the environment would be minuscule. Instead of virtue signaling, Albany Democrats should admit they made a mistake and work to make our energy policy more affordable and reliable for New York families and businesses,” said Palmesano.
“The fact of the matter is even though 60% of New Yorkers heat their homes with natural gas and 40% of our generation comes from natural gas, Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats’ energy policies are simply designed to dismantle the affordable and reliable natural gas infrastructure, supply and delivery system. It is designed to take away consumer choice on how you heat your home, cook your food, power your buildings and the vehicle you drive. It will jeopardize the reliability of the grid, leading to dangerous and deadly blackouts, and it will continue our nation-leading outmigration of more New York families, farmers, small businesses and manufacturers leaving our state,” concluded Palmesano.
In a joint statement, the members reinforced their calls for more public hearings and to extend the public comment period.
“We appreciate that NYSERDA is holding public hearings and an open comment period on the state’s draft energy plan. However, given the far-reaching impact the energy policies and plans being advanced by Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats are having on energy affordability, reliability, feasibility and energy choice, it is critical that in-person hearings also take place in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country and the Southern Tier to give residents and businesses the opportunity to testify in person. We also call for an extension of the public comment period and an additional 90 days to allow a more thorough review and comment process on the draft energy plan and the energy policies that continue to be advanced in the state of New York.”
“Unsurprisingly, Albany’s radical-empathy-fueled policies are poised to backfire and make life worse for New Yorkers. Average New York homeowners already pay about $145 a month for electricity—above the national average—and looming rate hikes threaten to push costs another $600 higher each year for many families. There’s a reason other states haven’t rushed into electrification. I stand with Assemblyman Palmesano and my colleagues in pushing back on these heedless rate hikes,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square).“After 50 years in the construction industry, I can say this with certainty: relying on winter wind and massive battery storage facilities that threaten communities, while banning gas in new homes, will crush families’ bills and risk blackouts. This isn’t clean energy—it’s political fantasy,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst).“The state’s proposed energy plan is yet another Albany mandate that ignores affordability and reliability while sticking New Yorkers with the bill,” said Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R,C-Riverhead). “On Long Island, where families and small businesses are already paying some of the highest utility rates in the nation, this plan will only make things worse. NYSERDA must extend the comment period and hold additional hearings, especially in regions like the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and North Country, so every community across New York has the opportunity to speak out. New Yorkers deserve energy policies that are realistic, affordable and reliable—not reckless mandates that make life harder.”“At a time when families are struggling just to put food on the table, it’s outrageous for the state to force an energy scheme that kills consumer choice and hikes rates even higher. Pushing full electrification will destroy good-paying union jobs and hurt the very people we should be helping,” said Assemblyman Doug Smith (R,C-Holbrook).“Safeguarding New Yorkers’ energy freedom and helping New York families save on energy costs is critical. Year after year, we see Long Islanders continue to spend more on energy, paying some of the highest energy costs in the nation due to inefficient infrastructure, high demand, frequent storms and unpredictable weather and aging power lines. The new Energy Plan Albany Democrats are proposing would only place a heavier financial burden on Long Islanders. This plan needs to be amended to protect consumer choice and ensure energy is reliable, accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage).“Albany’s so-called energy plan is nothing more than an unworkable mandate that will handcuff Long Island’s economic future,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano. “At a time when we should be preparing to host major AI and technology facilities that require reliable, affordable power, the governor and her allies are pushing policies that guarantee the opposite: higher rates, rolling blackouts and brownouts. Long Island families and businesses deserve energy security, not political Green New Deal experiments that will drive jobs and investments out of our region.”“Once again, Albany Democrats are pushing a one-size-fits-all energy approach that simply does not work. The Green New Deal drives up utility bills, making it harder for Long Islanders to keep up with the cost of living. Instead of offering affordable and reliable energy options, this plan puts an unnecessary burden on hardworking people who are already stretched thin. There is no reason we can’t embrace common-sense solutions that protect our environment AND lower costs for New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville).“Every resident deserves access to affordable, reliable energy, and the freedom to choose what works best for their household. Instead, this plan doubles down on the same failures of 2019’s CLCPA, pushed through by Albany Democrats, which has already driven up rates while still falling short of many of its own targets. If these recommendations move forward, New Yorkers will be left on the hook to pay more for energy that is less reliable,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
“This ‘updated’ energy plan is just more of the same—Democrat leaders setting unrealistic deadlines to simply grab headlines. Instead of a plan that eliminates energy options and drives up costs, we need a smarter, ‘all of the above’ approach that adds alternative energy options, while also keeping clean, efficient options, like natural gas, in place. I urge Long Islanders to speak up against this dangerous scheme and demand a realistic, safe, reliable and cost-effective approach to our energy needs,” said Senator Dean Murray.
“We all want to make our environment cleaner, but unrealistic timelines, burdensome mandates and skyrocketing costs are not the answer. Hardworking New Yorkers have had enough—families and businesses are already fleeing our state because these extreme policies make it harder and harder to stay. It’s time for Albany to finally listen. I encourage all residents to make their voices heard and demand a plan that delivers energy options, reliable service and affordable power so New York can achieve a brighter energy future,” said Senator Steve Rhoads.
“Our monthly energy bills are higher because of policy decisions made in Albany by the Democrats running our state. Instead of focusing on the reality of how best to power our state and its economy, they continue to chase a pie in the sky fantasy about how energy is generated and distributed that raises our costs and threatens the reliability we depend on,” said Senator Alexis Weik.
“As the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee and as a union leader, I cannot stand by while Albany pushes reckless mandates that threaten jobs, raise rates and strip away energy choice. Goals are good, but mandates are bad. We need a realistic plan, not a ban, to protect hardworking men and women of labor, safeguard our ratepayers and ensure New Yorkers have access to safe, clean reliable energy. Common sense must guide our future, not political agendas,” said Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the NYS Senate Energy Committee.
