Senator Oberacker Calls for Affordable, Reliable Energy Plan

ALBANY, 02/27/23 -- State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) today joined members of the Senate Republican Conference in calling for several initiatives designed to promote diverse energy policies focused on affordability and reliability.

“New York already leads the nation in outmigration and unaffordable energy policies will only send more people fleeing for the border,” said Senator Oberacker.  “The costs associated with the ‘all-electric’ proposals floated by Democrats in Albany are astronomical and rural areas that I represent would feel a great deal of pain.  Additionally, questions about reliability continue to go unanswered.  We need a diverse, affordable energy plan that will protect the environment while also ensuring that residents and business owners are not left in the dark drowning in debt.” 

A number of constituents have contacted Senator Oberacker expressing concern with Governor Hochul’s plan to 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 include 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.

Senator Oberacker has joined with his Senate Republican colleagues to propose several affordable alternatives that would still promote a cleaner energy future, including:

• 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 anti market mandates on consumers.

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