Albany, NY - Despite repeatedly claiming affordability is a top priority, Senate Democrats on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee once again proved that rhetoric means nothing when it comes time to actually help working New Yorkers. The Committee blocked five commonsense bills that would have delivered real relief to families and small businesses already drowning under skyrocketing utility bills.

 

“If there’s one thing Albany has been ‘good’ at under one-party control, it’s finding new and creative ways to reach into New Yorkers’ pockets and increase their utility bills,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick. “Time and time again, Democrats claim affordability is a priority, but when they have the opportunity to actually provide relief, they block it. My bill, S.5250, along with the other legislation rejected today, would have reined in runaway surcharges, paused new taxes and fees, exposed the true cost of Albany’s energy mandates, and put ratepayers first. Instead, they chose to protect their political agenda while hardworking families, seniors, and small businesses continue getting crushed by skyrocketing utility costs. New Yorkers are tired of paying more every single year while Albany refuses to change course.” 

 

The bills, sponsored by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and members of the Senate Republican Conference, were brought before the Committee. However, Senate Democrats refused to advance the measures for a vote before the full Senate, effectively blocking legislation aimed at directly addressing several key cost pressures facing ratepayers and providing immediate financial relief to struggling New Yorkers. 

 

> S.5250 An act to amend the public service law, in relation to limits on surcharge increases; directing a study of the costs associated with recent environmental and energy related laws and the value of stranded utility assets resulting in discontinuance and/or abandonment of utility gas infrastructure; and imposing a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees and regulations.

 

> S.1167 An act to repeal certain provisions of the energy law and the executive law, in relation to the prohibition on fossil fuel equipment and building systems in new buildings.

 

> S.1173 An act in relation to establishing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Cost Task Force.

 

> S.7075 An act to amend the public service law, in relation to prohibiting the imposition of a system benefits charge on ratepayers' utility bills.

 

> S.7710 An act to amend the energy law, in relation to prohibiting the construction and maintenance of high-capacity battery energy storage systems within five hundred feet of a school or dwelling in a city with a population of one million or more.

 

“At a time when families are cutting back on groceries, draining their savings, and struggling to keep up with monthly bills, Senate Democrats once again chose to double down on Albany’s costly energy agenda,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick concluded. 

 

These bills are a key aspect of the Senate Republicans’ Energy package in the Save New York agenda, of which a primary focus is helping make New York more affordable for all.

 

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