State Senator Tom O’Mara is calling on New Yorkers to raise their voices — and reject what he says are unrealistic and costly clean energy mandates.
O’Mara is urging the public to participate in hearings and submit written comments on the state’s newly released “Draft 2025 Energy Plan.” The plan lays out a roadmap for meeting New York’s climate goals, but O’Mara says the timeline is flawed and the public isn’t getting enough say.
“The plan finally admits what we’ve been saying for years — these targets can’t be met with current technologies,” O’Mara said. “This could be a turning point if the state takes public input seriously.”
The senator, who represents the Southern Tier and serves on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, is pushing the state Energy Board to hold more hearings — especially in upstate areas like the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier — and to extend the public comment deadline to Nov. 1.
Right now, hearings are only scheduled in cities along the Thruway corridor, including Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and New York City. The comment period is set to close Oct. 6.
O’Mara has long been critical of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), passed in 2019. He says the state failed to offer a clear cost-benefit analysis and that the burden of meeting the targets will fall on ratepayers already facing utility rate hikes.
“The public needs to demand accountability,” O’Mara said. “The plan must reflect reality — not just politics.”
New Yorkers can view the draft plan and find ways to submit comments or attend hearings at energyplan.ny.gov.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].