SC New York News

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) joined Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference to introduce the “Creating Lasting Affordable Energy for New York,” a legislative package aimed at ensuring a clean, affordable energy future for New Yorkers.

Critics have pointed out the Hochul administration's failure to meet benchmarks set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Since its approval in 2019, O’Mara and his colleagues have questioned the affordability, feasibility, and reliability of the strategy. They argue that there has been no comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.

Senate Republicans stated their proposals aim to protect both the environment and taxpayers' financial interests.

O’Mara remarked, "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. The forthcoming reassessment and reexamination at least opens a long-overdue and desperately needed public discussion on the realities of the current strategy. Senate Republicans are putting forth a clean energy strategy that is focused on affordability, feasibility, and reliability."

Republican Leader Ortt added, “The Governor and Legislature continue to make it more difficult for a family to remain in New York. Every time the Legislature comes into session, New Yorkers pay more for basic necessities. This is exactly why New York is losing its population at the rate it is. The only thing participants of Governor Hochul’s ‘Future Energy Economy Summit’ should be considering is how to reduce energy costs for New Yorkers.”

The GOP proposals coincide with the fifth anniversary of CLCPA becoming law ahead of Governor Hochul’s upcoming “Future Energy Economy Summit” in September.

Senate Republicans propose delaying CLCPA mandates by ten years to allow time for developing affordable clean energy infrastructure while providing flexibility if costs are deemed unaffordable. Other elements include creating a “Ratepayer Relief Act,” preventing premature closure of power generation facilities before new ones are operational, studying Indian Point's feasibility, encouraging solar use through tax credits, evaluating grid electrification impacts during extreme weather events, providing tax relief to hydroelectric plants offsetting relicensing costs, assisting underserved areas with natural gas infrastructure through tax credits under "Rural Energy Infrastructure Act of 2025," prohibiting mandated electrification of personal vehicles, and establishing a hydrogen vehicle task force.

Senator Mario Mattera commented on Governor Hochul’s recent interest in reviewing energy policies: “It’s ironic how five years after implementation...Governor Hochul just realized now might be a good time to put some actual thought behind Democrats’ energy policies.”

Senator George Borrello emphasized potential threats posed by current mandates: “The evidence keeps mounting that CLCPA mandates are not only unworkable and unaffordable but also threaten our energy supply's reliability.”

The package aims to provide solutions ensuring grid reliability while maintaining diverse affordable energy options throughout New York State.

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