Stony Brook, NY – Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick today condemned the updated energy proposal by the New York State Energy Planning Board and called on New Yorkers to make their voices heard by submitting written comments on the Draft Plan.

New Yorkers already pay a 40% higher rate for energy than those in neighboring Pennsylvania, a direct consequence of 2019’s CLCPA put in place by Albany Democrats, a plan that the State Comptroller and the Governor herself have acknowledged is already behind on key deadlines.

Earlier this month, the Public Service Commission (PSC) released a report that highlighted the fact that while New York is falling behind on meeting their climate mandates, ratepayers continue to bear the cost of clean energy investments through higher utility bills.  Now they are offering a “new” plan that continues with the policies that will threaten access to affordable energy options for all New Yorkers.

“Every resident deserves access to affordable, reliable energy, and the freedom to choose what works best for their household. Instead, this plan does nothing to change the failures of 2019’s CLCPA, pushed through by Albany Democrats, which has already driven up rates while still falling short of many of its own targets. If these recommendations move forward, New Yorkers will be left on the hook to pay more for energy that is less reliable,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

The people of this state have been stuck with increased costs and decreased choices by Democrats pushing an extreme climate agenda that is unaffordable, unrealistic, and unattainable. The recommendations in this plan are more of the same: forcing consumers to spend more while taking away energy choice and decreasing reliability. They want to dictate how you heat your home, how you cook your food, and what kind of vehicle you can drive, all while increasing the price of energy.

Over the past month, the Energy Planning Board has held multiple public hearings on the proposed plan, both in-person and virtually. The Senate Republican Conference also submitted formal public comments.