Saying affordability now tops her agenda, Gov. Kathy Hochul is hitting pause on key climate mandates — the same ones she once claimed would save New Yorkers money, according to the Times Union.
She delayed an electric building rule and a “cap-and-invest” plan after a state study found both could raise short-term costs. For example, switching to electric heat in new homes could add $5,000 upfront and take 11 years to break even. A similar affordability concern is slowing plans to charge polluters for carbon emissions.
Critics say Hochul is caving to politics, not economics, but allies argue the grid isn’t ready. With winter power shortages looming and legal battles underway, Hochul insists any plan must protect wallets first.
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].