NYS Assembly Republicans Continue Tour Calling Out Energy Policies Raising Utility Rates, Eliminating Consumer Choice

PALMESANO, ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS CONTINUE ENERGY TOUR IN BROOKLYN

PALMESANO, COLLEAGUES DENOUNCE COSTLY GREEN MANDATES, DEMAND TRANSPARENCY ON TOUR STOP

Calls for more hearings and extended comment period deadline

Editor’s  note: We also recently covered the local opposition to the natural gas fracking pipeline proposed to be installed under New York waterways.  The project is likely to cause environmental damage, along with other concerns shared by residents, particularly since the Hudson River has become an ecosystem for many forms of marine life.  There is concern that a project like this will stir up pollutants on the seabed, and this same plan was rejected by the New York State DEC.  They have not yet made their decision public whether to grant the permit or not.  Also of note is that the pipeline will not supply natural gas to Staten Island, so the environmental costs will be borne by this borough while the benefits will be received elsewhere.  NYS Assemblymember Pirozzolo also recently protected ethnic and cultural restaurants from environmental regulations that sought to disallow the use of traditional coal-fired ovens in their kitchens.  We also published a story from the makers of a natural gas detection device about the dangers that gas stoves and appliances pose, and how consumers can protect themselves from dangerous gas leaks by installing a detector with an alarm in their homes. 

From Senator Rob Ortt’s social media, where the Senate Republicans are also pushing back against these same regulations as the Assembly Republicans:

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, the Ranking Minority Member on the Energy Committee (R,C-Corning) continued his statewide energy tour in Brooklyn, where he was joined by many of his Assembly and Senate colleagues. This is the fifth 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.

71% of New Yorkers oppose the natural gas ban and believe consumers should have the freedom to choose the energy source that works best for their families. Despite this overwhelming opposition, Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative Democrats continue to push forward with costly mandates that drive up utility rates and advance an energy plan that eliminates consumer choice, reliability, feasibility, safety and fuel diversity. Assemblyman Palmesano and his colleagues will urge NYSERDA to extend the public comment period and expand public hearings to the North Country, Southern Tier and Central New York.

In addition, the members wrote a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to listen to the voices of everyday People. You can find that letter here.

“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 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 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.

“At a time when families are struggling to put food on the table, it is completely irresponsible for the state to continue with its unaffordable, unfeasible, and unreliable energy plan. I hear from constituents all the time that they are disappointed the governor would rather side with progressive activists instead of normal, everyday people. Albany Democrats must admit they are wrong and go back to the drawing board,” said Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (R,C-Brooklyn).

 “Kathy Hochul’s senseless energy mandates will crush New Yorkers—forcing families, renters, homeowners, and small businesses to pay for new piping, new equipment, and skyrocketing utility bills they cannot afford. Instead of responsibly planning for a cleaner energy future, Kathy Hochul and progressives are more concerned about scoring points with their political base then protecting New Yorkers from expected blackouts. We are standing up to say enough is enough—New Yorkers deserve affordable, reliable energy, not policies that punish them,” said Assemblyman Lester Chang (R,C-Brooklyn).

“Albany Democrats are hellbent on pushing their unsustainable green energy ideas & mandates publicly, while privately, they are acknowledging just how unrealistic and unattainable these goals are. Instead of focusing on the condition of our grid, which has sparked an affordability & reliability crisis for Staten Islanders & most New Yorkers, Albany Dems are determined to drive those costs up further with pipe dream mandates, resulting not in cleaner, more affordable energy, but higher utility bills, unreliable service, and an economy losing its competitive edge. Instead of reckless mandates and empty promises, we should be investing in practical, balanced solutions that strengthen our grid, expand energy options, and truly protect both our environment and our wallets,” said Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island).

“While working families across our city are struggling to make ends meet, the Democratic Socialists in Albany are driving up the costs of basic utilities to fund their ‘green new deal’ policies. Just last month, Gov. Hochul approved a plan that would raise energy bills by an average of $22 a month statewide. Plans like this will only serve to drive up costs, limit energy choices and take away jobs from hard-working New Yorkers. I’m proud to be able to stand alongside my colleagues in the state Assembly to fight against these radical policies and bring common sense back to Albany,” Said Alec Brook-Krasny (R,C-Coney Island, Bay Ridge).

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“Reliable and affordable energy is a matter of public safety as much as it is an economic issue. Blackouts or skyrocketing utility bills put families, seniors, and small businesses at risk. Albany needs to stop with the reckless mandates and start focusing on practical solutions that protect New Yorkers and strengthen our communities,” said Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R,C-Staten Island)

“My constituents are struggling to get by day by day, with rising costs on everything. The energy plan by Albany Democrats will continue to drive up utility bills, while removing the ability of my constituents to make their own energy choices. The new plan is the same as the old plan – burdensome mandates and unrealistic goals that will continue to dig into the wallets of New Yorkers. I urge all New Yorkers to speak out against the energy plan,” said Senator Steve Chan.

“Thanks to leftist Democrat tax, regulatory, and the “green” news scam policies they push, hard-working New York families and businesses pay the highest energy costs in the nation. Now they are ready to make it worse. The Governor and candidates like Mr. Mamdani say that turning on your gas stove changes the weather. Shame on you if you believe them,” said Deputy Senate Republican Leader Andrew Lanza. 

Banner Image: No Gas, No Choice. Image Credit – Senator Rob Ortt