Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Senator Mario Mattera, along with other members of the Senate Republican Conference, have called on Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency due to concerns about the reliability of New York’s electrical grid and rising energy costs. The senators urged the Governor to use her Executive Authority to suspend certain mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which they argue have increased demand on the grid and financial burdens on residents.
The letter highlights issues such as electric vehicle mandates, natural gas hookup bans, and the Cap and Invest program. Recently, Governor Hochul acknowledged challenges in meeting CLCPA objectives without affecting ratepayers. NYSERDA’s president has also suggested revisiting the energy plan to include fossil fuels.
Senator Ortt stated, “A one-size-fits-all energy policy does not work – we need reliable and affordable energy alternatives.” He emphasized the need for diverse energy policies that cater to different regional needs.
Senator Mattera expressed concern over recent power warnings during heatwaves, saying Albany must heed these warnings instead of pushing extreme mandates. “We need a plan…not a ban!” he declared.
Senator Tom O’Mara stressed reassessing CLCPA strategies to avoid further financial impacts on ratepayers and local economies. He called for focusing on affordability and reliability while delaying CLCPA mandates.
Senator Mark Walczyk criticized Governor Hochul’s policies for raising bills and risking grid reliability. He advocated suspending all-electric mandates due to potential blackouts caused by government policies.
The letter concludes by urging immediate action from Governor Hochul to safeguard New York’s energy stability and economic well-being.
