Senator Mattera And Colleagues Call On Governor To Declare Energy State Of Emergency And Halt CLCPA Mandates

Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, and his colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference, including Leader Rob Ortt (62nd Senate District), today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to declare a state of emergency amidst increasing concerns surrounding the reliability of the state’s electrical grid and skyrocketing energy costs affecting all New Yorkers. 

The letter also calls on the Governor to use her Executive Authority to suspend laws enacted under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) that have placed more demand on the grid and more of a financial burden on New Yorkers – including electric vehicle and bus mandates, bans on natural gas hookups, the repeal of the “100 foot rule” and the Cap and Invest program. Just last week, the Governor admitted that it is impossible to achieve the current objectives of the CLCPA without hurting ratepayers, and the president of NYSERDA pointed to the need for an updated energy plan that continues to include fossil fuels. 

“A one-size-fits-all energy policy does not work – we need reliable and affordable energy alternatives and a diverse energy portfolio is necessary to properly address unique needs across diverse regions. The industry has already raised concerns about the inability of the grid to keep up with the increased demand caused by burdensome all-electric mandates. New Yorkers were left in the dark just a few weeks ago amidst a dangerous heat wave. We need to stop the insanity of the CLCPA and revisit smart and diverse energy policies that will meet the unique needs of our state and ensure accessible and affordable energy options for all New Yorkers,” said Senator Ortt. 

“The recent energy warning during the recent heatwave is a wake-up call Albany must not ignore. New Yorkers were told to conserve power because our grid couldn’t handle the demand but Albany Democrats continue to push extreme, unrealistic and unfunded energy mandates that eliminate reliable fuel sources without a reliable and realistic replacement. This is exactly what we have continually warned about and the main reason we need an energy policy grounded in reality, not ideology. That means protecting fuel choice, investing in clean natural gas, and examining other forms of energy without putting costly unfunded mandates on our residents and businesses. I am proud to join my Senate Republican colleagues in urging Governor Hochul to reverse course before it is too late. Our families, businesses, and our workers can’t afford an energy policy that puts politics before people. We need a plan…not a ban!” said Senator Mattera, Ranking Member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

“Until we begin, in earnest, a straightforward reassessment of the realities of the current CLCPA strategy, these mandates will keep delivering devastating price tags and consequences for ratepayers and taxpayers, businesses and industries, school districts, farmers, and entire local communities and economies. We must immediately refocus on affordability, feasibility, and reliability. We have put forth commonsense alternatives to delay the CLCPA mandates while providing relief to ratepayers, addressing the reliability of the grid, and, especially now, ensuring a diverse energy portfolio that will keep energy options affordable and accessible for the long term,” said Senator Tom O’Mara (58th Senate District), member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

“Governor Hochul's energy policies have raised your bill and endangered the reliability of the grid. She needs to stop telling us what temperature our thermostats should read and instead take immediate action. We must suspend the all-electric mandates and gas bans because the threat of a government-caused blackout is now real,” said Senator Mark Walczyk (49th Senate District), member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

“This is a pivotal moment for our state’s energy future. We urge you to act now to protect the stability of our energy grid and the economic well-being of all New Yorkers,” the letter concludes.

A full copy of the letter is attached.