Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today provided an update on recent casework efforts to assist constituents located in the Middle East and shared important resources available to Americans abroad who may need assistance or guidance from the U.S. government.

Rep. Tenney’s office has successfully helped dozens of constituents located overseas, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait, helping them navigate communications with the U.S. State Department and secure safe travel arrangements back home.

Her office regularly works with federal agencies to help constituents obtain timely information, connect with embassy officials, and access the resources available to U.S. citizens abroad.

“Helping constituents navigate urgent situations overseas is an important part of the work our office does every day,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am grateful our team was able to assist constituents in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and help ensure they were able to return home safely. For Americans currently abroad, the State Department offers several important resources that can provide guidance, updates, and support during emergencies.

“Our office will continue working closely with federal agencies to assist constituents and ensure that Americans traveling or living overseas have access to the information and help they need. We are grateful to the State Department, and our regional partners in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait for their help getting Americans home safely.”

Americans currently overseas who need assistance or guidance from the U.S. government are encouraged to utilize the following resources:

• State Department Crisis Intake Form – Used to notify the U.S. State Department and request assistance or information during emergencies abroad: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – Allows U.S. citizens abroad to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and receive important security alerts and updates: https://step.state.gov.
• Travel.State.gov – Americans traveling or living abroad should regularly monitor Travel.State.gov and communications from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for country-specific updates and safety guidance.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The bronze statue of Santa at Waterman Park in downtown Albion is coated in ice this morning after a night of freezing rain.

It was very slippery walking around on driveways and sidewalks. But the temperature is forecast to climb to 54 today and then 70 on Saturday.

The highs then show 48 on Sunday, 60 on Monday, 50 on Tuesday and 48 on Wednesday.

There are many icicles on one of the benches by the Santa at Waterman Park.

The bottom of the clock on Main Street also has some icicles this morning.

These branches in an Albion backyard are lined with ice this morning.

Democrats asked to repeal legislation that GOP says could increase gas prices by $2 a gallon

These receipts were created and shared by the New York State Republican Conference.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Wednesday highlighted an explosive new memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) regarding the shockingly high costs of New York’s so-called “green energy” mandates on New Yorkers.

They also called on Democrats to repeal the statute requiring the state to implement a Cap-and-Invest program, a program the state now acknowledges could increase gasoline prices by as much as $2.23 per gallon and raise annual utility bills by up to $4,100 for upstate residents and $2,300 for residents in New York City.

Since Democrats passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, Republicans have demanded answers about its cost, expressed concerns about its mandates and questioned if its goals were realistic or achievable.

Last week, it was disclosed that NYSERDA has issued findings that fundamentally agree with much of what Republicans have been saying for the past 7 years – that the Democrat’s Climate Law is unaffordable and failing to meet its own benchmarks.

“This conference has called for transparency and accounting of the true costs of the CLCPA for years. Now, thanks to a memo from NYSERDA, we finally know what we’ve been saying all along – New Yorkers simply cannot afford the Democrats’ green energy mandates,” said Rob Ortt, the Senate Republican leader.

Cap and Invest is part of the Democrats’ CLCPA, a scam known for its so-called “green” mandates on ratepayers. Democrats’ ideological approach to energy issues in this state has caused the highest utility bills New Yorkers have ever seen. Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly are taking action now to provide relief by pushing to scrap the most damaging parts of the CLCPA, especially Cap and Invest.

Governor Hochul’s New York State Energy Research and Development Authority released a memo outlining “likely costs of CLCPA compliance.” In the memo it reads, “The primary driver of these projected cost increases is the Cap-and-Invest program — “the greenhouse gas accounting approach incorporated in statute and regulation, in combination with current emission reduction targets, mean that current law attributes higher emissions to New York than other leading jurisdictions do for the same activity.”

According to NYSERDA Memo, absent changes, within five years:

• Gasoline prices could increase by $2.23 per gallon — on top of whatever market prices are at that time. At today’s prices, that would mean roughly $5.25 per gallon.
• Natural gas costs could increase by $16.96 per MMBtu.
• Upstate households using oil or natural gas could see energy costs increase by more than $4,100 per year.
• New York City households using natural gas could see annual gross costs rise by approximately $2,300.
• Utility costs for small and medium commercial businesses increase by up to 45% – these costs would be passed down to consumers
• Costs for operating a delivery truck would increase by over 60%.

In addition to the disastrous Cap and Invest program, the Senate Republican Conference has unanimously opposed other new energy costs and mandates within the CLCPA that have increased costs and decreased choices being forced under an extreme climate agenda that is unaffordable, unrealistic, and unattainable.

“They continue to champion policies that they unequivocally know are driving up costs and making life less affordable,” Ortt said. “You can’t just say affordability and wish it into existence when your policies are going to add $4,100 to people’s bills and drive gas costs up to $5 or more at the pump. Democrats want to be California-we are on our way. New Yorkers need to understand-to get different policies they need different policy makers.”