Senator O'Mara seeks testimony from key state energy heads at today's budget hearing (WATCH)

Albany, N.Y., January 28—State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C--Big Flats), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, joined numerous legislative colleagues at today’s joint Senate-Assembly hearing on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2025-2026 New York State budget.

Tuesday’s forum focused on the governor's proposals for Environmental Conservation and Energy.

At today’s hearing, Senator O'Mara solicited testimony from the heads of several key state agencies – New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Public Service Commission (PSC) and the New York Power Authority -- implementing mandates and other actions to achieve the goals set forth under the “Community Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019” (CLCPA).

Senator O’Mara continued to be critical of the lack of a detailed and transparent cost-benefit analysis of the state’s plans, raising concerns over skyrocketing utility costs for ratepayers and other widespread fears that New York’s current climate agenda and energy mandates ignore affordability, feasibility, and reliability, and aren't realistic under the current timeline.

“These massive rate increases are not affordable,” Senator O’Mara said. “We haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg. When the public knows, you’re going to hear about it. Everything’s being done with smoke and mirrors on this whole thing. There’s no transparency, there’s no forthrightness with the public on what this is going to cost them.”

Watch Senator O'Mara's questioning of state DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar HERE.

Watch Senator O'Mara's questioning of NYSERDA President Doreen Harris HERE.

Watch Senator O'Mara's questioning of the heads of the state PSC and the New York Power Authority HERE. 

During the budget hearings, which will continue through the end of February, members of the Legislature’s fiscal committees will receive testimony from top Hochul administration officials, state agency heads, local leaders, and representatives of the wide range of stakeholders impacted by the state’s annual budget.

Read more and find a hearings schedule on Senator O'Mara's website at: www.omara.nysenate.gov.