Griffo pushes for package of legislation that would help alleviate pressure from rising energy costs

Following the Public Service Commission’s approval of a rate increase for National Grid gas and electric customers and as NYSEG also seeks to raise rates, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, continues to push for a package of legislation that would combat skyrocketing energy costs under the state’s burdensome climate agenda.

 

Sen. Griffo, who has routinely opposed rate increases for utility companies, and the Senate Republican Conference remain focused on what is really driving up utility costs: The hasty transition of the energy grid under the impossible timeline of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) championed by the governor and legislative majorities.

 

 

“Energy costs are a major problem for residents across the state,” Sen. Griffo said. “There are many driving factors that have contributed to this expensive situation: The governor and Democratic majorities in the legislature pushing for unrealistic and unreasonable energy policies; utility companies and how they undertake certain initiatives such as smart meters; onerous government regulations and high taxes; and a lack of adequate infrastructure for the generation and transmission of energy. As the former chair of the Senate's Energy Committee, I appreciate and understand the need to embrace clean energy. However, as I have said in the past, we need a diversified energy portfolio and policies that do not further burden residents, families, businesses and communities.”

 

Legislation supported by Sen. Griffo and the Senate Republican Conference would increase energy production around the state, pause the green energy mandates championed by the governor and legislative majorities and provide ratepayers with increased transparency surrounding the true costs of the CLCPA.

 

Bills include:

 

S.5436 - Introduced by Sen. Griffo, this bill prohibits the closure of power generation facilities (peaker plants) before equivalent renewable sources are brought online to ensure a reliable energy grid;

 

S.1031 - Directs the Public Service Commission  and the Comptroller to determine the cost of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandates for each ratepayer and establishes a credit for ratepayers and businesses to cover those costs;

 

S.1167 - Repeals the All-Electric Buildings Act. The All-Electric Buildings Act prohibits gas, oil and propane equipment and building systems in new buildings beginning at the end of this year, a mandate that would drive up the costs of new construction;

 

S.1178 - Provides tax credits to build out gas infrastructure to rural areas where higher emitting fuel sources are typically used;

 

S1927 - Establishes the commission on reopening the Indian Point energy center. The ill-conceived closure of Indian Point resulted in a substantial amount of clean, reliable energy coming offline. With other states looking to reopen nuclear power plants, it makes sense for New York to do the same with Indian Point.  Adds nuclear energy to the list of energy sources the State considers renewable energy systems;

 

S.2712 - Requires a cost analysis of the CLCPA and delays the emission mandates of the CLCPA for a decade;

 

S3652 - Prohibits electric vehicle mandates and provides consumers with the choice to select the vehicle of their choosing; and

 

S.5515 - Requires the Public Service Commission to develop a formula to determine the portion of each residential ratepayer's utility bill that is attributed to the implementation of the CLCPA and requires utility companies to place such cost on monthly utility bills to provide cost transparency to customers.

 

“Many in New York are struggling with burdensome energy costs and other financial challenges that make it difficult for them to get ahead and live here,” Sen. Griffo said. “The state’s ambitious energy goals and standards, which include unaffordable mandates and unrealistic and unreasonable deadlines, is not helping matters and is hurting ratepayers, families, seniors, business owners and communities. It is simple: New Yorkers need relief. This package of legislation will help to provide that to them by combating rising energy costs and making our state more affordable, which will help to stop the mass exodus from New York.”

 

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