February 26, 2026
“We need natural gas. People want natural gas. That is what Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R, Corning) has been arguing in the state budget hearings. The assemblyman wants to keep natural gas from being replaced by green energy projects. “Wind and Solar do not count. They are not dispatchable,” Palmesano said. Also, according to the assemblyman, these green projects are largely funded by surcharges and extra fees, on utility bills, and make up 20 percent of some utility bills. Supporters of the climate action laws say, using wind and solar reduces pollution and are more cost effective. Palmesano maintains that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, was written in a way that would phase out natural gas. “It’s designed to dismantle the natural gas infrastructure,” Palmesano said yesterday. “It’s designed to take away consumer choice on how you heat your home, fix your food, it will control the vehicle you drive and it will jeopardize the reliability of the grid.”
See video below.
