Senator Gallivan and Fellow Senators Outline Plan for Smart Energy Policies

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) and members of the Senate Minority Conference have unveiled a package of smart energy policies to pursue a cleaner energy future. The plan puts affordability and reliability first for New York ratepayers, in sharp contrast to some of the proposals coming out of Albany.

“Protecting our environment is important, but the plan put forward by the Climate Action Council is unrealistic and unaffordable,” Senator Gallivan said.  “These proposals will impact every resident and business in New York State. Just updating our electrical grid to meet the demand is expected to cost billions of dollars. This one-size-fits all approach is not achievable and not sustainable. As we work toward a cleaner energy future, we must ensure full transparency, a detailed cost analysis and goals that are reasonable and responsible for all New Yorkers.” 

The climate agenda included in the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal would completely prohibit the installation of natural gas, propane and fuel oil hookups in new and existing buildings no later than 2035. These devastating bans on reliable, affordable energy sources includes deadlines of:

• December 31, 2025 for new one family residential buildings of any height or multi-family residential buildings of three stories or fewer;
• December 31, 2028 for new multi-family residential buildings more than three stories or new commercial buildings;
• January 1, 2030 for existing one family residential buildings of any height or multi-family buildings of three stories or fewer; and
• January 1, 2035 for existing multi-family residential buildings more than three stories or commercial buildings.

In addition, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) would have authority to establish an economy-wide “Cap and Invest” program for greenhouse gas emissions, which will mean new taxes and extra burdens on ratepayers and businesses.

The Executive Budget would also give authority to the New York Power Authority to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, own, operate, maintain, and improve, alone or jointly with other entities, renewable energy generating projects. This would effectively allow for all-government takeovers of private sector business projects, and chart a dangerous path where state government becomes the only supplier of electricity in New York.

The New York Senate Minority Conference has proposed several affordable solutions in pursuing a cleaner energy future, such as:

• Independent cost studies and full transparency;
• Supporting diverse energy sources;
• Keep needed power supply online to ensure reliability of our grid; and
• Repealing and opposing and anti-market mandates on consumers.

The proposals are part of the conference’s ‘2023 Agenda’ which includes proposals for a safer, stronger and more affordable New York.

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