September 4, 2025
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and Ranking Minority Member on the Energy Committee (R,C-Corning) kicked off his statewide energy tour yesterday in Buffalo, where he was joined by many of his Assembly and Senate colleagues. This is the first of several stops across the state in the coming weeks where Palmesano and his colleagues will hold 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.
“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. 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,” said Palmesano.
In a joint statement, the members said,
“We appreciate that NYSERDA is holding public hearings and an open comment period on the state’s draft energy plan. However, given the fact of 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 NY, 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.”
“What we’re seeing unfold is exactly what my colleagues and I have warned about: higher costs, fewer choices and a less reliable grid,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski). “I was encouraged by the recent decision to move forward with an advanced nuclear facility to help meet New York’s growing energy needs, but that project is years away from coming online. In the meantime, as traditional energy sources are forced aside to satisfy CLCPA mandates, real concerns remain about the reliability of our grid and the affordability of our future. I urge NYSERDA to put common sense ahead of politics by extending the comment period and adding hearings in more regions so New Yorkers across the state have a voice.”
