Editor’s Note: The following is an op-ed written by Sen. Pam Helming.
A recent decision by an Ulster County Supreme Court judge found that New York State is violating its own climate law, known as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA. Passed in 2019, this law has been described as the most aggressive climate plan in the nation. Even when it was signed, there were major unanswered questions about how it would affect affordability, safety, and reliability. Now, the court has ordered the state to promulgate regulations by February 2026 to meet the requirements outlined in the CLCPA. This should serve as a wake-up call for the Governor and the Legislature to take a closer look at what these mandates mean for New Yorkers.
For years, many of us have raised concerns about CLCPA programs like the All-Electric Buildings Act, the All-Electric School Bus mandate, and Cap and Invest. Our job creators, schools, farmers, and families have shared their concerns about affordability, reliability, safety, and the difficulty of complying when the electric capacity does not exist.
We are not alone in those concerns. The New York Independent System Operator, which oversees the state’s power grid, has warned that moving too fast toward an all-electric system will lead to energy shortages and higher costs. A recent Public Service Commission report confirmed this, showing that CLCPA-related costs have increased sharply over the past two years, with some residential and industrial customers seeing double-digit increases.
A July 2024 audit by the Office of the State Comptroller found a lack of transparency, an unclear understanding of the cost burdens placed on ratepayers, and inadequate preparation for the risks and challenges of such a major transition.
We are already seeing the impact of these policies on our communities. Limited energy resources have slowed new housing construction, keeping housing prices high and putting more financial pressure on families and seniors. Local officials are frustrated with state policies that limit municipal home rule and community decision-making. Others are concerned about the loss of prime farmland to large-scale solar projects. And many New Yorkers have made it clear that they do not want to be told how to heat their homes or cook their meals.
With all of these challenges, the recent court ruling should serve as a clear signal that the Governor and Legislature must act. One responsible step forward is to pass legislation I co-sponsor, S2712, which would delay the CLCPA deadlines by ten years and mandate a comprehensive analysis of the costs, benefits, and economic feasibility of meeting CLCPA goals.
This proposal is about protecting ratepayers, strengthening the grid, and developing a plan that balances environmental goals with safety, reliability, and affordability. I’m sure my constituents would agree that a commonsense plan to delay makes more sense than trying to move ahead with goals that cannot be met or spending additional taxpayer money on costly court appeals.
When the Legislature returns to Albany in January, one of our top priorities must be delaying the CLCPA implementation dates. Doing so will give New York the time it needs to strengthen the grid, lower costs, and secure a reliable and affordable energy future for every family and business that calls our state home.
Senator Helming covers the 54th Senate District which includes Ontario, Wayne, and Livingston counties and the Monroe County towns of Chili, Mendon, Riga, Rush, and Wheatland.
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