Photos by Tom Rivers: These Santas and some elves are shown in April 2015 in Albion as part of a group photo with about 200 Santas who were in town for a Santa convention. A group of Santas will be back in Albion in August 2027 celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.

Group will be in town to celebrate 90^th anniversary of Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School

The logo for the upcoming Santa gathering from Aug. 6-8 in Albion and Lockport. The event will be based in Lockport at the palace theater with the group visiting Albion, where Charles Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 to 1966.

ALBION – The Santas will be coming back to Albion in Auust 2027 for a 90^th anniversary celebration of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.

There were about 200 Santas in Albion for convention in 2015 and a smaller group in 2010.

The gathering next summer could have 400 Santas and other Christmas entertainers, said Phillip L. Wenz, a recently retired professional Santa who organized the 2010 and 2015 events in Albion. Wenz worked at Santa’s Village in east Dundee, Ill, near Chicago and serves as a Santa historian.

“We are planning upwards of 400 Christmas performers for all over North America,” Wenz stated. “We would like to have as many local people participate in the events as well.”

Charles Howard started the first school for Santas in Albion in 1937 and kept it going for nearly 30 years. He passed away on May 1, 1966. The school continues in his name, now run by Tom and Holly Valent in Midland, Mich.

The Santa School celebration will host activities in Albion and at the 1,100-seat Palace Theatre in Lockport.

Christopher Parada is executive director of The Palace Theatre. He also built a Christmas cottage in Lockport and he has portrayed Santa there since 2010, welcoming about 10,000 children every Christmas season. Parada, a Medina native, also owns the New York Santa Claus Suits & Equipment Co., replicating Howard’s style for suits.

Parada is pleased to be hosting the event next year that is expected to bring many Santas to the community. Lockport has the hotels and accommodations for the visitors, as well as the spacious theater to host presentations.

“Bringing this historic event to the Albion and Lockport, New York areas is a truly meaningful opportunity to celebrate and honor 90 years of the Santa Claus School and the enduring legacy of Charles W. Howard,” Parada said.

The Santas will see a bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard that was unveiled on June 10, 2023 during the Strawberry Festival and also a 24-foot-long mural depicting Santa flying in his sleigh over Courthouse Square and downtown Albion. That mural was created by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward was unveiled in June 2018. The Albion Betterment Committee also is working to open a Santa School Museum on Main Street in Albion.

Many of principles taught by Howard continue to shape the look and actions of Santas. Howard remains a revered figure among the Santas, 60 years after his death.

“As the founder of the original Santa Claus School, Howard established a standard of authenticity, professionalism, and heartfelt spirit that continues to define the portrayal of Santa Claus today,” Parada said. “As a lifelong resident, I take great pride in seeing our local communities serve as the backdrop for such an important milestone—one that highlights both our regional heritage and a nationally recognized tradition rooted right here in Western New York.”

Parada has led the theater in Lockport through multi-million-dollar upgrades. That theater opened in 1925.

“The Historic Palace Theatre provides an ideal home base for this celebration, offering a unique and immersive setting for presentations, programming and shared experiences,” Parada said. “Its theatrical atmosphere will help foster a sense of community, connection, and camaraderie among attendees.”

The August 2027 event is still in the planning stages. Wenz said discussions have been made with the Howard family, friends and other special guests to take part in the programs and activities. As in the past events, there will be no event fees. For more information e-mail Wenz at santaclausproductions@msn.com.

Press Release, Albion Fire Department

ALBION – The volunteer members of the Albion Fire Department will host a ham dinner on Saturday at their 108 N. Platt Street fire station.

The dinner will be a “drive through” only, with tickets available both presale for $12 each or at the door for $13 each. The drive through pickup will begin at 4 o’clock and run through 7 o’clock or until sold out that day.

The dinner includes sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll and dessert. Cash or checks made payable to the Albion Fire Department, Inc. are accepted for payment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting any of the fire department volunteer members, or by calling 585-331-1410. The volunteer fire department members thank the community in advance for their support of this fundraiser.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Central School marching band plays in Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Parade last summer. The school district for the first time has been named to the list of “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation.

The list of school districts named to a national list for “Best Communities for Music Education” includes three school districts in Orleans County with Lyndonville earning the distinction for the first time.

Albion has now made the list 19 years and Medina has been recognized the past three years by the NAMM Foundation.

Lyndonville is the smallest school district in Orleans County. It puts on some of the best musicals. The district in 2025 performed, Newsies, and it was named “Production of the Year” for small schools in the Rochester region by the Stars of Tomorrow program which sends trained evaluators to the school musicals.

Last month Lyndonville put on Peter Pan. The district was commended for its commitment to the overall music program.

The Medina Marching Band, including Raelynn Baker in the Color Guard, performed on Sept. 21 at Vets Park during the Fall Festival of Bands. Despite being of the smaller schools that competes in the field band competition, Medina has won the New York State Field Band Conference Championship several times.

Albion High School students are shown during last month’s performance of Annie. Neveya Barnes, front center, played the lead role. Albion performs two full-length musicals during the school year by both the middle school and the high school.

The North American Music Merchants has presented the annual list for 27 years honoring school districts with strong music programs. Last year there were 935 districts total around the country as “Best Communities for Music Education.” This year, the list topped 1,000 for the first time.

“Music education plays a vital role in cultivating vibrant, connected communities,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM President and CEO. “The 2026 Best Communities for Music Education recipients exemplify how meaningful access to music fosters creativity, collaboration and lifelong learning. We are proud to recognize their leadership and unwavering dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to engage in music.”

“Access to music education is a true catalyst for belonging, expression, and shared purpose,” said Julia Rubio, NAMM Foundation Executive Director. “When communities invest in music, they invest in the potential of every student.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds has 10 new trees on its campus, including eight along Route 31 near the Buzz Hill Education Center and two across the creek.

The Orleans County Bicentennial Committee funded the new trees, wanting to celebrate the county’s 200^thanniversary with a gift that will last for years to come.

The top photo shows Bicentennial Committee member Ken DeRoller, left, and County Legislator Fred Miller, with Holley Mayor Mark Bower in back. Bower also is a Bicentennial Committee member.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension picked out the varieties and determined the locations for the new trees, which include four sugar maple, two willows, two white oak, and two bur oak.

Bicentennial Committee members plant one of the sugar maples. From left includes Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the County Tourism Department; County Historian Catherine Cooper; and Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator.

“For centuries, this area was undisturbed and deep woods developed,” Cooper said. “The people who settled this area 200 hundred years ago chopped down the trees to clear the land and make a living.”

The Bicentennial Committee worked on events and projects to celebrate the county’s milestone anniversary in 2025. The group wanted until this spring to team with the Cooperative Extension to plant the trees.

“Today, we have come full circle,” Cooper said on Wednesday. “We are planting trees to help restore the environment and enhance living.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Hinspergers at 430 West Oak Orchard St. in Medina has expanded several times since coming to Medina 25 years ago. The company was named the “Business of the Year” for 2015 by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

MEDINA – Hinspergers Poly Industries will continue its successful operation in Medina under new management, with the announcement of the retirement of general manager Greg Budd.

Budd is succeeded by Medina native Andrew Szatkowski, who came on board Nov. 1, 2025.

Greg Budd, general manager of Hinspergers since it opened in Medina in December 2001, has announced he will retire as of May 29. His replacement, Andrew Szatkowski, is already on the job.

Hinspergers is owned by Peter Hinspergers of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. He also has a plant there and in Nova Scotia.

“He always wanted to have a presence in the United States,” Budd said. “He looked as far as the Carolinas and the Northeast to the Midwest, before settling on Medina.”

Budd and his wife made Medina their home, and said it has been an interesting 24 years.

“It has been a great experience,” Budd said. “I’ve made many friends and became a member of Shelridge Country Club. I’ve promised to come back and play golf.”

There were several reasons for choosing Medina, Budd said. One was the fact the company made swimming pool covers, and because it is so cold and snowy in the northeast, every pool owner would be interested in having a pool cover.

Another reason is that Medina is only a two-hour drive away when there are company meetings. And, the 25,000-square-foot building on Oak Orchard Street was attractive and they were able to purchase enough additional land to expand.

Hinspergers in Medina opened its doors Dec. 17, 2001 with 17 employees at the former Jamestown Container site. The building was wide enough for production rooms to produce custom-made pool covers that can spread out beyond 40 feet.

Soon after, in 2003, another 25,000 square feet was added, followed by a 33,000-square-foot addition in 2005. Sales quadrupled and employment had reached 65 when Covid hit. They currently employ about 45 and are hiring.

Since Covid, Budd said it has been a challenge to get and retain good help. The key people, however, have been there many years. He said Hinspergers is clean, light manufacturing and a great place to work.

Retirement will find him and his wife living in Waterloo for six months in the summer, and wintering in Florida for the winters. The couple has two children and three grandchildren.

Budd is confident he is leaving Hinspergers in good hands and said Szatkowski is doing a great job. Szatkowski’s background has been with several local companies, including Takeform and Bernz-o-Matic.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Stephanie Kruzynski, a Medina kindergarten teacher, brought her class to Medina Memorial Hospital today for the Teddy Bear Clinic where students bring in stuffed animals or dolls and go through different stations at the hospital.

Here, a student checks the temperature of a doll.

Medina had about 100 kindergarteners in the hospital today for the clinic. Today was the last Teddy Bear Clinic of the school year. Medina Memorial welcomed kids from Albion, Medina, Lyndonville and Barker this year, about 500 students in all.

Erica Chutko, manager of the X-Ray Department, shows students X-rays. She explained an X-Ray is a way to take a picture of the inside of a body. Getting an X-Ray doesn’t hurt, she told the students.

The Teddy Bear Clinic has been popular at the hospital since its return in 2015. Before that many school districts cut back on field trips and no schools visited the hospital about a decade before 2015.

Medina Memorial welcomes the students to help them feel more comfortable if they ever need to go the hospital. The kids can bring in toys and give those dolls and stuffed animals bandages, X-rays, Band-Aids and other care.

The kindergartners left their stuffed animals on the X-Ray table. Chutko showed students how that table goes up and down at the flip of a switch.

“Don’t you wish you had one of these in your bedroom?” she asked the kids.

Chutko told them adult humans typically have 206 bones in their bodies.

Kate Brauen, Doctor of Pharmacy and director of pharmacy at Orleans Community Health, talks about how medications can help people feel better who are sick or battling health issues.

Leah Brenner, a nurse practitioner, and Becka Schoolcraft (in back), the Medina Healthcare Center clinic manager, help students pretend to give shots and check the blood pressure of their stuffed animals.

One trustee pushed for 1% increase, but mayor said that would have taken too much from fund balance

Photos by Tom Rivers: (Left) Albion Mayor Tim McMurray speaks during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting when he said the village budget is beyond bare bones with any additional cuts into “bone marrow.” (Right) Trustee Kevin Sheehan wanted the board to take $50,000 more from the fund balance to lower the tax increase to 1.0 percent.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board adopted the 2026-27 village budget on Wednesday that will increase taxes by 2.5 percent.

One trustee, Kevin Sheehan, sought to use $50,000 from the village fund balance which would have reduced the tax increase to 1.0 percent. But Mayor Tim McMurray said that would have left the village with too little of a cushion for any unanticipated expenses in the new fiscal year that starts June 1.

The mayor said Albion has old waterlines, infrastructure and equipment, which could result in a big bill if something breaks and needs to be replaced.

The 2.5 percent increase follows a budget from a year ago that raised taxes by 11 percent, and that was when the fire department was moved out of the village budget into its own taxing entity with a fire district.

The new budget totals $9,371,115 with the General Fund at $4,890,354, the Water Fund at $2,927,243 and Sewer at $1,554,518.

The water and sewer funds are self-supporting through water and sewer bills. Property taxes go towards the General Fund, which increased by 2.7 percent or $126,399 – from $4,763,955 to $4,890,354.

The village’s tax levy will go up by $85,221.61 or 2.5 percent from $3,463,463.38 to $3,548,685. The tax rate will increase 2.4 percent or 38 cents from $15.99 to $16.37 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The owner of an house assessed for $140,300 would see an increase in village taxes by $53.28 from $2,244.09 to $2,297.37, village officials said.

Chart data from Albion Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver. Note: The fire department is out of the village budget but the village still owns the fire hall and is responsible for its maintenance.

The budget is only taking $5,900 from the fund balance. In many past budgets in recent years, the budget was able to tap into $200,000 or more of fund balance which lowered the tax rate. (The village in the current 2025-26 budget used $64,000 in its fund balance compared to $261,150 in 2024-25.)

The village currently only has $242,000 in fund balance. McMurray said the state comptroller would like to see Albion with about 20 percent of the general fund as a fund balance, or nearly $1 million to help weather emergency expenses. Albion also has $250,000 in reserve funds to help with future equipment needs.

Sheehan sought to take $50,000 more out of the fund balance which would have put that fund below $200,000.

“That will bring the rate down,” he said. “I’m all about lowering taxes.”

But McMurray said reducing the fund balance only sets Albion up for big tax hikes in the future. He said previous village boards dwindled the fund balance down far too low, leaving the more recent board in a difficult position with the budget.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting new results,” he said.

Sheehan was on some of those boards when the fund balance was bigger and used to help hold taxes at minimal increases.

“I take offense when you say ‘previous boards,’” Sheehan responded to McMurray. “I was on three boards. There’s ways to get through it.”

Sheehan said state grant programs can help the village with some of the equipment needs.

Sheehan opposed the budget as presented on Wednesday, while McMurray, and trustees William Gabalski and Jami Allport voted yes.

The village’s tax base barely grew in the past year after seeing a huge jump a year ago after reassessments. The village’s taxable valuation went up 41.6 percent or by $63,666,806 – from $152,867,932 to $216,534,738 in 2025.

However, this time the tax base grew by less than 0.1 percent or $182,846 from $216,534,738 to $216,717,584.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today questioned United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Administration’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda, highlighting Canada’s refusal to substantively engage on longstanding trade barriers harming Upstate New York producers.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Tenney highlighted Canadian actions that are devastating NY-24 producers, including Canadian restrictions and prohibitions on the export of dairy, wine and bulk produce.

These issues are all highlighted in the National Trade Estimate Report as foreign trade barriers harming the U.S.-Canada relationship. These policies, Tenney emphasized, are placing Upstate New York farmers and producers at a competitive disadvantage despite repeated U.S. efforts to resolve these issues through negotiation.

As Ambassador Greer stated “I think we’re kind of at the end of our rope… there are two countries that have retaliated economically against the United States in the past year: The People’s Republic of China and Canada. So that’s kind of the company they’re running in.”

“Upstate New York farmers and producers are some of the best in the world, but they are not getting a fair shot,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Canada continues to block our dairy, our wine, and our produce while expecting free and open access to our markets. That is not how a fair trade relationship works. I hear from these producers every day, and they are frustrated because of Canada’s discriminatory treatment and refusal to engage on these issues meaningfully and substantively. We need to hold Canada accountable, strengthen USMCA, and make sure our farmers and businesses can compete and win in the international marketplace.”

Press Release, Orleans County Planning & Development Department

MEDINA – Orleans County celebrated Earth Day today by opening registration for its Annual Paint Collection Event, which will be held on Saturday, May 30th at the GCC Campus in Medina.

This event is done in partnership with Niagara County and is open to residents of both Orleans and Niagara counties. Registration is required.

“Earth Day reminds us that protecting our planet starts with everyday choices like reusing what we can and recycling what we can’t, and that is what this paint collection event is all about,” said Corey Winters, Orleans County Director of Planning and Development, which organizes the event. “Last year, hundreds of people participated, helping us keep paint cans out of our landfills.  We hope for an even better turnout this year.”

Orleans County works in collaboration with paint-recycling company GreenSheen to collect the paint. Resident and businesses are welcome to bring oil-based, acrylic and latex paint, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, primers and clear coatings to be recycled at no cost.

“As I say every year, as everyone begins spring cleaning, this is a great opportunity to get those old paint cans out of your basement, garage and shed, and ensure they are properly recycled,” said Winters.

WHAT: Free Community Paint Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9am to 1pm.

WHERE:  GCC Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd. Medina, NY 14103.

Registration for this event can be done at https://circular.eco/event/medina26.  Staff will be on hand to unload vehicles so drivers can stay in their vehicles. Those with any questions about the event should call the Orleans County Planning and Development Department at 585.589.3198.

ALBION – A former Lyndonville man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Carl Ostrander, 42, on Jan. 21 pleaded guilty to first degree attempted sexual abuse that occurred in the town of Yates.

The female victim, who was under 13 when Ostrander touched her in her private parts, spoke during the sentencing and said Ostrander has ruined her mental health and self esteem.

“You are more dangerous than you appear on paper,” she said. “I want everyone in the court to know that.”

She asked Judge Church to impose the maximum sentence. Ostrander was charged for sexual misdemeanor crimes against two other underage girls but those charges were dismissed after he was declared mentally incompetent. However, he was later deemed fit to stand trial and he faced the felony charge.

His attorney, Jeffrey Mallaber, said Ostrander suffered a traumatic brain injury in his youth that is a contributing factor in the case.

Judge Church said a TBI shouldn’t be blamed for Ostrander’s actions, which the judge said were intentional acts.

Ostrander, who recently moved to Lockport, did not speak during his sentencing today.

The judge gave him the maximum sentence as part of a plea agreement. Ostrander also will be on post-release supervision for 10 years and will be on the sex offender registry. The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim who spoke in court today.

In other cases in County Court today,

• A Medina man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years of additional time in state prison for attempted assault, an E felony, to two jail corrections officers.

Patrick Casanova, 32, is currently serving a 2- to 4-year sentence in state prison at Five Points Correctional facility in Romulus, Seneca County. His earliest release date is listed as May 27, 2027.

The judge issued orders of protections for the two corrections officers who were injured.

Casanova disputed in court that he harmed the officers. He said he doesn’t plan on returning to Orleans County in the future because local law enforcement seems determined to put him in jail or prison.

Casanova is currently in prison after pleading guilty in 2023 to second-degree assault. He admitted to punching a woman in the face, which fractured her orbital bone and damaged her sinus.

• Richard Neal, 36, of Medina pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated. He was charged by State Police on Aug. 25 after allegedly driving a motorcycle on Route 31 in Ridgeway while intoxicated and without a license. He registered a BAC of 0.10 percent, just above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He has a previous DWI conviction on may 29, 2025 in the City of Batavia.

Neal faces a possible split sentence of a maximum of six months in the county jail plus five years of probation when he is sentenced on July 1.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Fire trucks with the Albion Joint Fire District drive in the Strawberry Festival Parade on June 14, 2025.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York’s Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program is expanding to offset costs for five additional training courses available to volunteer firefighters.

New York State created the program to strengthen the volunteer fire service and address recruitment and retention challenges by offsetting the costs of required training that individuals need to become a firefighter. This expansion will help reduce obstacles preventing volunteer firefighters from advancing their careers. Since 2023, more than 4,000 volunteer firefighters have successfully completed training through the program.

“Since taking office, I’ve been laser-focused on making New York safer and more affordable. By expanding the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program, we’re doing both – cutting costs for those who serve while enhancing their lifesaving skills,” Governor Hochul said. “This program makes critical training more accessible, allowing our volunteers to grow in their careers without sacrificing their ability to provide for their families. I’m proud to invest in our volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep New Yorkers safe.”

The new stipend-eligible courses and course equivalencies are:

• Firefighter Survival: Self Rescue: This course teaches firefighters how to rescue themselves if they become trapped or compromised during a fire incident. Stipend Amount: $250
• Firefighter Assist and Search Team, and Rapid Intervention Crew: These courses are designed to train firefighters in the critical skills needed to rescue fellow firefighters who are trapped or in distress during an incident. Stipend Amount: $350
• Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 1, Fire Officer II, and Firefighter 2: These courses are advanced leadership and instructor development programs. They aim to enhance the leadership capabilities of fire department members and improve their effectiveness in incident command roles, ultimately contributing to the safety of firefighters. Stipend Amount: $500

These five courses build on the catalog of trainings that are already stipend-eligible: Basic Wildland Fire Suppression ($250) Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations ($750), Fire Officer 1 ($1,000) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus/Interior Firefighting Operations ($1,250). Since the inception of the stipend program, completion of the Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations, and Interior Firefighting Operations courses have increased by 20 percent and completion of the Fire Officer I course has risen 35 percent.

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “New York’s volunteer firefighters are critical parts of the fabric of communities statewide and they put their lives on the line every time they answer a call to protect those communities. As New York continues to face challenges with volunteer recruitment, the stipend program has resulted in marked increases in class completions, which has brought additional firefighters to departments across the state. Thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Hochul, this stipend program expansion will continue to help volunteer departments recruit and retain members, keeping themselves and their communities safe.”

 Additionally, a local fire training stipend may be authorized for the completion of any state Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) training course or equivalent, as determined by OFPC, up to $500. Courses must have been completed on or after August 31, 2023, and applicants must be a member in good standing as determined by their department. Stipend applications must be submitted to OFPC-Stipend@dhses.ny.gov.

Additional information on the stipend program can be found on the DHSES website.

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Emergency Management has teamed up with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Citizens to host a Citizens Preparedness Training Event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on May 23 at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 12690 NY 31 in Albion.

The purpose of the training is to teach people how to prepare for disaster or emergency situations. The course includes information about the types of risks and hazards people face. It teaches how to develop individual and household plans.

The training also encourages all to think about and save needed emergency supplies. Learning how to help yourself and others in advance will help you react faster when facing a crisis. Each family that attends will be given a free preparedness kit.

To register for the training, click here.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

During Earth Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that an additional $30 million is now available for consumers to use towards the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle (EV) in New York State.

This announcement reinforces the State’s commitment to improve access to zero-emission electric vehicles and enhance affordability — while helping to reduce vehicle pollution and provide cleaner air in New York communities.

“As the federal administration continues to roll back support for clean air and electric vehicles, New York State is leaning in to prioritize benefits that reduce consumer out-of-pocket costs while reducing harmful emissions,” Governor Hochul said. “At a time when gas prices at the pump have soared in the wake of the war with Iran, electric vehicles will help make driving more affordable for New Yorkers.”

This funding is available through the Drive Clean Rebate Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which provides consumers with a point-of-sale rebate at the time of vehicle purchase or lease from a participating dealership. The amount ranges from $500 to $2,000 off of the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of a battery-powered EV or plug-in hybrid, with a higher rebate available for longer-range EVs.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA is proud to partner with dealerships statewide on the Drive Clean Rebate to lower EV costs for New York drivers and their families. Newer models cover impressive distances of over 200 miles, are quiet, comfortable and a solid option for car buyers who are looking to lower costs now — especially in this current economic landscape.”

NYSERDA compared the price of gasoline with electricity rates, and results show that New Yorkers can save from 40 percent to almost 70 percent annually by driving an electric car or SUV. For example, instead of paying well over $4.00 per gallon at the gas pump, an EV driver would pay as little as $1.33 for an equivalent amount of electricity.

New York State Automobile Dealers Association President Bob Vancavage said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul, we continue to take action to get more EVs on the road in New York State, which is especially important during the current volatility of gasoline prices. On behalf of NYSADA’s nearly 1,000 dealers across New York we are appreciative of the State’s continual efforts to clean our environment.”

Since its launch in 2017, Drive Clean Rebate program has issued over 228,000 rebates to consumers, contributing to approximately 324,000 EVs on the road statewide. More than 60 EV models are covered and new models are added to the program every year. Over the last five years, an average of more than 20 new models were added to the eligible vehicle list every year.

Consumers can use NYSERDA’s EV Calculator for Passenger Vehicles to run side-by-side comparisons of electric vehicle models, including the vehicle range, price after incentives and other specifications. The calculator also factors in electricity rates and driving habits to generate tailored results and provides recommendations for EV charging equipment and when to charge for optimal savings. NYSERDA also provides consumers with fuel market data through the Weekly Transportation Fuels Dashboard.

The Drive Clean Rebate complements New York State’s efforts to provide easy access to electric vehicle chargers. Currently, the state has more than 19,000 public chargers installed statewide — more public chargers than any other state except for California — and thousands more semi-public charging stations at workplaces and multifamily buildings across the state.