Niagara Leader

New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference unveiled the “Creating Lasting Affordable Energy for New York,” a comprehensive legislative package aimed at ensuring a clean, affordable energy future for all New Yorkers.

This summer, critics have cited the administration's failure to meet benchmarks enacted under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Since its implementation, there has been growing frustration among ratepayers, taxpayers, business organizations, and even climate advocacy groups. Today, Senate Republicans are proposing measures to protect both the environment and taxpayers' finances.

These proposals come as the fifth anniversary of the CLCPA's enactment approaches and ahead of the “Future Energy Economy Summit” in September. The Senate Republicans' package aims to delay CLCPA mandates while providing taxpayer relief, ensuring grid reliability, and maintaining a diverse energy portfolio to keep energy options affordable across New York State.

“It’s ironic how five years after the implementation of the CLCPA, the billions of dollars spent, and the absolutely crushing utility hikes year after year, Governor Hochul just realized that now might be a good time to put some actual thought behind the Democrats’ energy policies. We welcome the Governor’s late arrival to the party and hope that she takes a look at the policies we have laid out here, as they will not only keep the lights on but do so in a clean, affordable way that benefits all New Yorkers,” said Senator Mario Mattera from District 2.

"Since the CLCPA's approval in 2019, we've watched Albany Democrats move at world record speed to pile one unaffordable mandate on top of another unworkable mandate on top of the next unrealistic mandate desperately trying to inflict a zero-emissions economy on this entire state that will have zero impact on the climate. These actions will come with a devastating price tag and consequences for ratepayers and taxpayers, businesses and industries, school districts, farmers, and entire local economies. It has become clear that the current strategy is not realistic or achievable. It is not responsible or rational. There was no cost-benefit analysis other than a 'the sky is falling' proclamation. It lacks critical foresight and it unreasonably risks energy grid reliability and affordability," said Senator Tom O'Mara from District 58.

“The evidence keeps mounting that CLCPA mandates are not only unworkable and unaffordable but also pose a very real threat to our energy supply's reliability. If Democrats keep blindly pushing forward with this disastrous plan even as experts raise numerous red flags it will be catastrophic for our economy businesses municipalities and already over-burdened New Yorkers," said Senator George Borrello from District 57.

“Our legislative package is about securing clean and affordable energy for every New Yorker,” stated Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick from District 9.

“The extreme policies mandated by Albany's CLCPA will make energy more expensive and less reliable when Hudson Valley residents need it most," added Senator Rob Rolison from District 39.

“Senate Democrats have lost sight of reliability affordability feasibility in their energy policy," noted Senator Jake Ashby from District 43.

“High taxes onerous energy costs burdensome regulations problematic policies such as Climate Leadership Community Protection Act forced hardworking New Yorkers flee state alarming rate," stated Senator Joe Griffo from District 53.

“A recent comptroller report made clear what my Senate Republican colleagues I have been saying all along: cost implementing CLCPA already far beyond Democrat leaders suggested would be,” said Senator Dan Stec from District 45.

The "Creating Lasting Affordable Energy for New York" legislative package includes proposals such as delaying CLCPA mandates by ten years; creating a “Ratepayer Relief Act”; preventing premature closure of power generation facilities; studying Indian Point's feasibility; encouraging solar use; establishing commissions for grid reliability during extreme weather; providing tax credits for hydroelectric plants; creating tax credits under "Rural Energy Infrastructure Act of 2025"; prohibiting mandatory electrification of personal vehicles; establishing a hydrogen vehicle task force.

“The Governor Legislature continue making difficult family remain New York,” concluded Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt from District 62.

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