A winter storm-driven spike in gas prices is renewing criticism of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s energy strategy and its impact on household utility bills.
Even before Winter Storm Fern brought freezing temperatures across much of the country last week, fracked gas futures surged by 70 percent. Advocates say the jump highlights the risks of tying New York’s energy future to volatile fossil fuels.
Hochul’s “all the above” energy plan includes building new fracked gas power plants, including three gigawatts of capacity in New York City. Critics warn the approach could raise energy bills while increasing pollution, particularly in low-income, Black, and brown communities already burdened by aging gas peaker plants.
“It’s not the first time notoriously volatile gas markets have sent energy bills skyrocketing,” said Alex Patterson, campaign coordinator for Public Power NY. “Every time we face a bomb cyclone or some other supercharged weather event, we pay for New York’s reliance on gas through our utility bills.”
Public Power NY argues the state is falling behind on its legally mandated goal to reach 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. The group points to reports that the governor may seek changes to New York’s climate law during state budget negotiations rather than expanding clean energy investment.
Advocates also criticize the proposed budget for excluding funding for public renewable projects. Thousands of New Yorkers and several elected officials have pushed for $200 million in funding, citing testimony from New York Power Authority leadership that increased investment would lead to more projects.
Patterson said Hochul’s plan undercuts her stated focus on affordability. “Governor Hochul’s energy plan will lead to higher energy bills for New Yorkers and more pollution in our communities,” he said. “There’s only one solution to the energy affordability crisis and the climate crisis: building public renewables.”
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