Senate And Assembly Republicans Urge Public Input On New State Energy Plan

Steven D. Rhoads

September 30, 2025

Senate And Assembly Republicans Urge Public Input On New State Energy Plan
Senator Steve Rhoads, ranking member of the Labor Committee, Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the Energy Committee, Senators representing Suffolk and Nassau, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, ranking member of Assembly Energy Committee, joined by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Assembly representatives of Nassau and Suffolk and Richard Ellenbogen, President Allied Converters today blasted the updated energy proposal by the New York State Energy Planning Board and called on New Yorkers to make their voices heard prior to Monday’s so-called public hearing on the plan on Long Island. As New Yorkers are already paying some of the highest energy bills in the nation thanks to Democrats in power, those same Democrats remain hellbent on dismantling and destabilizing the state’s power grid by continuing to force their green schemes on the taxpayer. 
 
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 won’t be achieved by the 2025 deadline. 
 
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.  Yet, here they are, offering a new plan that’s exactly the same as the old one— doubling down on more policies that will threaten access to affordable energy options for all New Yorkers.
 
“As the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee and as a union leader, I cannot stand by while Albany pushes reckless mandates that threaten jobs, raise rates, and strip away energy choice. Goals are good, but mandates are bad. We need a realistic plan - not a ban - to protect hardworking men and women of labor, safeguard our ratepayers, and ensure New Yorkers have access to safe, clean, reliable energy. Common sense must guide our future, not political agendas,” said Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the NYS Senate Energy Committee.
 
“We all want to make our environment cleaner, but unrealistic timelines, burdensome mandates, and skyrocketing costs are not the answer. Hardworking New Yorkers have had enough — families and businesses are already fleeing our state because these extreme policies make it harder and harder to stay. It’s time for Albany to finally listen. I encourage all residents to make their voices heard and demand a plan that delivers energy options, reliable service, and affordable power so New York can achieve a brighter energy future,” said Senator Steve Rhoads, 5th SD. 
 
“Every resident deserves access to affordable, reliable energy, and the freedom to choose what works best for their household. Instead, this plan doubles down on the same 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, 9th SD.
 
“This ‘updated’ energy plan is just more of the same — Democrat leaders setting unrealistic deadlines to simply grab headlines. Instead of a plan that eliminates energy options and drives up costs, we need a smarter, "all of the above" approach, that adds alternative energy options, while also keeping clean, efficient options, like natural gas, in place. I urge Long Islanders to speak up against this dangerous scheme and demand a realistic, safe, reliable and cost-effective approach to our energy needs,” said Senator Dean Murray, 3rd SD.
 
“The CLCPA was drafted as a roadmap for the State to transition in an efficient and responsible manner to clean and affordable power utilizing all sources of energy. It is not a mandate for radical change. Unfortunately, New York's Democrat leaders have used the CLCPA to push through irresponsible policies that have resulted in higher costs and put enormous strains on our power grid. The efforts to provide cleaner and more affordable power must be viewed as a single, cohesive goal--one that must be adopted to provide relief to today's ratepayers, while ensuring a cleaner future for all New Yorkers. Sadly, the new draft energy plan falls short of this critical goal,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo, 1st SD.
 
“Our monthly energy bills are higher because of policy decisions made in Albany by the Democrats running our state. Instead of focusing on the reality of how best to power our state and its economy, they continue to chase a pie in the sky fantasy about how energy is generated and distributed that raises our costs and threatens the reliability we depend on,” said Senator Alexis Weik, 8th SD.
 
“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 Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, ranking member of the Assembly Energy Committee.
 
“After 50 years in the construction industry, I can say this with certainty: relying on winter wind and massive battery storage facilities that threaten communities, while banning gas in new homes, will crush families’ bills and risk blackouts. This isn’t clean energy—it’s political fantasy,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown (R,C-Cedarhurst).
 
“Albany’s so-called energy plan is nothing more than an unworkable mandate that will handcuff Long Island’s economic future. At a time when we should be preparing to host major AI and technology facilities that require reliable, affordable power, the governor and her allies are pushing policies that guarantee the opposite-higher rates, rolling blackouts, and brownouts. Long Island families and businesses deserve energy security, not political Green New Deal experiments that will drive jobs and investments out of our region,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano.
 
“Once again, Albany Democrats are pushing a one-size-fits-all energy approach that simply does not work. The Green New Deal drives up utility bills, making it harder for Long Islanders to keep up with the cost of living. Instead of offering affordable and reliable energy options, this plan puts an unnecessary burden on hardworking people who are already stretched thin. There is no reason we can’t embrace common-sense solutions that protect our environment AND lower costs for New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville
 
“The state’s proposed energy plan is yet another Albany mandate that ignores affordability and reliability while sticking New Yorkers with the bill. On Long Island, where families and small businesses are already paying some of the highest utility rates in the nation, this plan will only make things worse. NYSERDA must extend the comment period and hold additional hearings, especially in regions like the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and North Country, so every community across New York has the opportunity to speak out. New Yorkers deserve energy policies that are realistic, affordable and reliable—not reckless mandates that make life harder,”  said Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R,C-Riverhead) 
 
“Safeguarding New Yorkers’ energy freedom and helping New York families save on energy costs is critical. Year after year, we see Long Islanders continue to spend more on energy,
paying some of the highest energy costs in the nation due to inefficient infrastructure, high demand, frequent storms and unpredictable weather and aging power lines. The new Energy Plan
Albany Democrats are proposing would only place a heavier financial burden on Long Islanders. This plan needs to be amended to protect consumer choice and ensure energy is reliable,
accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage).
 
“Unsurprisingly, Albany’s radical-empathy-fueled policies are poised to backfire and make life worse for New Yorkers. Average New York homeowners already pay about $145 a month for electricity—above the national average—and looming rate hikes threaten to push costs another $600 higher each year for many families. There’s a reason other states haven’t rushed into electrification. I stand with Assemblyman Palmesano and my colleagues in pushing back on these heedless rate hikes,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square).
 
“At a time when families are struggling just to put food on the table, it’s outrageous for the state to force an energy scheme that kills consumer choice and hikes rates even higher. Pushing full electrification will destroy good-paying union jobs and hurt the very people we should be helping,” said Assemblyman Doug Smith (R,C-Holbrook).
 
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 homes, how you cook your food, what kind of vehicle you can drive – and they want you to pay for it all. 
 
The Republican Conference submitted public comments urging NYSERDA to oppose the Draft State Energy Plan. In their letter, they highlighted specific examples of how the draft plan, if adopted, will undermine reliability and increase costs for New Yorkers.
 
Over the last month, the Energy Planning Board has hosted several public hearings regarding the new plan, both in-person and virtual. This is your last in-person opportunity to make your voice heard on policies that will directly impact household budgets, energy choices and future reliability. 

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