Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) and member of the Senate Minority Conference have sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging the inclusion of two pieces of legislation in the enacted state budget that would provide real utility relief at a time when New Yorkers desperately need it.

The first piece of legislation (S.8461A), co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, would provide nearly $3 billion in bill credits to ratepayers using unspent funds collected from ratepayers by NYSERDA and utilities with PSC approval for green energy projects. The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Financial Plan for NYSERDA detailed that NYSERDA had a total net position of $2,045,624,000 at the end of 2025. There was also $770 million being held in escrow by utilities for requisition by NYSERDA at the end of 2025 per the Department of Public Service.

The second bill (S.8463) would establish a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and a two-year green energy gas tax holiday, which would provide real and meaningful relief to ratepayers that are paying residential electric rates 50% higher than the national average.

“New York families and businesses need relief from rising utility bills,” said Senator Gallivan. “It is not fair to expect ratepayers to bear these additional costs completely on their own. By including this legislation in the final version of the state budget, we can provide immediate relief and truly help make New York more affordable.” 

The call for the inclusion of these pieces of legislation in the final enacted budget comes on the heels of a recent report from NYSERDA warning of increases in utility costs to keep up with the green energy mandates laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). 

In their letter, the legislators say since 2021, $88.7 billion has been invested in clean energy programs with the funding mainly paid by ratepayers. They argue the state needs an energy plan that is affordable, realistic, and does not put the entire cost on the backs of customers.

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