Assembly Republicans unveiled a sweeping energy proposal Tuesday that they say would lower utility costs and boost power generation across New York.
Minority Leader Ed Ra and members of the Assembly Republican Conference introduced the “Lights On With Energy Relief” plan, or LOWER Plan, in response to rising energy prices and concerns about grid reliability.
The proposal calls for $2 billion in rebate checks for moderate- and middle-income households. It also would require surplus and uncommitted funds in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Climate Investment Account to be returned to ratepayers as utility bill credits. Lawmakers estimate that total at $2.4 billion.
The plan also seeks immediate reinvestment in previously retired natural gas plants and investment in new gas facilities to increase power generation.
Republicans said the second part of the package would roll back what they described as burdensome climate mandates and protect consumer energy choice. The proposal targets requirements involving zero-emission school buses, fossil fuel appliances, mixed-fuel buildings and energy supply rate notifications.
It also calls for increasing natural gas production and transportation capacity, requiring a cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy goals under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, creating a New York Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and studying the use of small modular nuclear reactors. The plan would expand the POWER UP Grant Program to support natural gas expansion projects and local pipelines.
Republicans pointed to rising electricity costs since the CLCPA was signed into law in 2019. They said residential electricity prices have increased by more than 47% during that time. They also cited warnings from the New York Independent System Operator about potential energy shortages and record-high forecasted energy prices in January.
Ra said the plan aims to provide immediate relief while improving long-term reliability.
“Our LOWER Plan looks to tackle the current crisis head on, by getting immediate relief into the hands of New Yorkers and facilitating improved power generation to meet growing demand,” Ra said.
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, the ranking minority member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, said the proposal promotes “affordability, reliability, fuel diversity and energy choice.”
The legislation would need approval from the Democratic majorities in the Assembly and Senate to advance.
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