New Yorkers continue seeing rising energy prices despite the federal government’s affordability push.
Data from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority showed 2025 electricity costs were consistently higher than at any point during 2024. Energy bills have risen 13% during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, despite promises to reduce them.
David Kieve, president of EDF Action, said prices are high due to attacks on clean energy in New York.
“The developer of the ‘Empire Wind’ offshore wind project, which is going to bring a massive amount of new energy to the people of New York and the region, is in court suing the Trump Administration over their order to stop a large offshore wind project that is substantively complete,” Kieve explained.
It is the second pause on offshore wind projects by the administration after a federal judge overturned the first stop-work order. In addition, 15 New York utility companies requested rate increases, with 10 being granted, and five still under consideration. But Kieve noted lawmakers like Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., are not demanding accountability on affordability from President Trump.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing to build more power plants as a way to accommodate artificial intelligence data centers. The centers face intense pushback since they utilize more energy and resources than entire communities. Yet Trump insists his plans are reducing costs for Americans. As the administration’s second year begins, Kieve countered the claims are not grounded in reality.
“They look at their own bills. They look at their own lived experience. They see costs increasing for them,” Kieve pointed out. “They see jobs in clean energy going away in their communities and they assign him a very different grade for his performance so far.”
Data show close to 6,400 clean energy jobs in New York were eliminated during President Trump’s first year in his second term and more than $2 billion in clean energy investments statewide have been lost.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.