Albany, N.Y., January 29—State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C--Big Flats), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, is joining legislative colleagues in Albany for what will be a monthlong series of joint Senate-Assembly hearings on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026-2027 New York State budget. 

On Wednesday, the hearing examined the governor’s specific proposals for environmental conservation and energy, which include some of the most hot-button challenges confronting New York.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President & CEO Doreen Harris, state Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair Rory Christian, and New York Power Authority President & CEO Justin Driscoll testified and faced questioning from legislators on a range of concerns and issues, particularly on the “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, that continues to drive the state’s energy strategy.

From the outset, Senator O’Mara has been an outspoken critic of the CLCPA mandates and timelines, frequently warning that they are not affordable, feasible, or reliable for New Yorkers. 

At today’s hearing, he addressed the panel on several issues focusing on the top constituent concern that he and many of his legislative colleagues have been facing over the past several years: the skyrocketing cost of electricity.

Among the concerns raised by Senator O’Mara were:

>Ongoing rate hike requests before the PSC from utilities throughout New York State, including NYSEG and RG&E in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions he represents;

>the impact on ratepayers of NYSERDA surcharges on utility bills.

O’Mara also highlighted that, according to NYSERDA’s financial plan, the authority is projected to carry a roughly $2 billion annual surplus over the next several years.

“It would seem to me that carrying in excess of $2 billion of ratepayers’ funds from year to year would be better returned to the ratepayers given the significant increases in, particularly electrical costs, that we’ve had – over a 53% increase in electrical rates in this state from January 2020 to October 2025,” Senator O’Mara said. “Wouldn’t you agree that it would be more important to provide some relief to ratepayers? Or maybe use it for the infrastructure upgrades that are needed to provide reliable power, rather than to have it sitting in NYSERDA’s bank account or in the utility’s coffers.”

[Watch Senator O'Mara's questioning of the panel at yesterday's hearing HERE.]

Senator O'Mara has served as the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee since 2021. 

"We welcome the start of this year’s budget hearings, at this critical time, for direct input and critique on a range of policy areas that will decide the short- and long-term future and strength of our local communities and economies.” said Senator O’Mara, who represents the 58th Senate District comprised of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, and a part of Allegany County. 

Read more and find the full hearings schedule HERE.