State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) joined Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference to call for policies that ensure access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
At a news conference held at the Capitol earlier today, O’Mara criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s renewable energy mandates, which he says could be burdensome for New York taxpayers.
“New Yorkers already bearing a heavy burden for state government mandates imposed under extreme executive control throughout the COVID-19 pandemic better be ready for much more of the same, and then some, if Governor Hochul’s energy mandates keep marching forward. It’s a runaway train,” O’Mara said.
Hochul’s proposed energy policies include a proposal in her current Executive Budget that would prohibit the installation of fossil fuel hookups in new and existing buildings by no later than 2035.
The Republican lawmakers are calling for several affordable amendments to the state’s current course of action, including independent cost studies and full transparency, supporting diverse energy sources, keeping needed power supply online to ensure the reliability of New York’s power grid, and repealing and opposing anti-market mandates on consumers.
Ortt criticized the governor’s proposals, saying that they are unrealistic and unaffordable for the everyday hardworking New Yorker. “At a time when the economy is unstable and many of our businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet, we should be focusing on providing much-needed relief, not extreme climate policies at the taxpayers’ expense,” Ortt said.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will establish an economy-wide Cap and Invest program for greenhouse gas emissions, placing an extra burden on New York businesses. Hochul would also grant authority to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, own, operate, maintain, alone or jointly with other entities, renewable energy generating projects.
Republican lawmakers are urging the governor to reconsider these proposals and to work on a plan that is more affordable and realistic for the people of New York.
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