State Republicans react to climate report
ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — Republican lawmakers at the Capitol are responding to a memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA, outlining the projected energy costs associated with the state’s climate laws.
The analysis is fueling debate over the price tag, indicating some households could see energy costs rise by thousands of dollars a year as the state works toward its climate goals.
The memo says the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, as currently written, could make fossil fuels—such as gasoline—more expensive as the state aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Republican lawmakers say the memo confirms their concerns and are calling for new solutions.
“Repealing the CLCPA yeah, that should be what they do. But we know they’re not going to do that,” said Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt. “We’ve laid out several other items—namely, return the billions of dollars that you siphoned off on their bill for green investment, which the NYSERDA director said, ‘Well, we don’t have anything currently, but we’re going to be making investments in the future as projects come up.’ You know what’s gone up is people’s energy bills.”
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Environmental groups say the memo overlooks a larger issue, arguing that volatile fossil fuel markets—especially natural gas—are a major reason electricity bills fluctuate. They say expanding renewable energy reduces that uncertainty.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reacted to the report Wednesday, saying, “I think that’s one of the key focuses of discussion during this legislative session the future of New York.”
Governor Hochul has acknowledged that changes to the laws may be necessary and has made tackling utility costs a priority in next year’s budget.
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