Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday criticized President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans as gas and diesel prices rise in New York following the start of the war in Iran.
State officials say the average price of gasoline in New York has increased by 62 cents per gallon, or about 21%, since Feb. 28.
Diesel prices have increased by $1.13 per gallon, or 28%, over the same period and surpassed $5 per gallon on March 13.
Prices also jumped over the weekend, with gasoline rising 8 cents per gallon and diesel increasing 11 cents from Friday to Monday.
State officials said home heating fuels, including propane and crude oil, are also increasing as a result of the conflict.
“President Trump promised to lower energy prices, but instead, he and his administration have driven up costs for New Yorkers with illegal tariffs — and now they’re driving up gas prices with the War in Iran,” Hochul said.
The governor highlighted her proposed Ratepayer Protection Plan, which she says is intended to reduce energy costs for residents.
The proposal would remove certain utility fees from customer bills, require utilities to disclose executive pay compared with worker wages, and expand access to energy affordability programs.
Hochul also called on the state Legislature to work with her to revise New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
According to a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority analysis cited by the governor, implementing the law on its current timeline could increase annual household energy bills by about $4,000 for upstate oil and natural gas households and $2,300 for New York City natural gas households by 2031.
Officials also said the law could add $2.39 to gasoline prices and increase business energy costs by about 46%.
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].