Ortt, Senate GOP want Hochul to end CLCPA mandates due to rising costs of energy
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, along with Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Thursday penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to declare a state of emergency amidst increasing concerns surrounding the reliability of the state’s electrical grid and skyrocketing energy costs affecting all New Yorkers.
The letter also calls on the Governor to use her Executive Authority to suspend laws enacted under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) that have placed more demand on the grid and more of a financial burden on New Yorkers – including electric vehicle and bus mandates, bans on natural gas hookups, the repeal of the “100 foot rule” and the Cap and Invest program.
Just last week, the Governor admitted that it is impossible to achieve the current objectives of the CLCPA without hurting ratepayers, and the president of NYSERDA pointed to the need for an updated energy plan that continues to include fossil fuels.
“A one-size-fits-all energy policy does not work – we need reliable and affordable energy alternatives and a diverse energy portfolio is necessary to properly address unique needs across diverse regions,” Ortt said. “The industry has already raised concerns about the inability of the grid to keep up with the increased demand caused by burdensome all-electric mandates. New Yorkers were left in the dark just a few weeks ago amidst a dangerous heat wave. We need to stop the insanity of the CLCPA and revisit smart and diverse energy policies that will meet the unique needs of our state and ensure accessible and affordable energy options for all New Yorkers.”
Ortt is one of 18 senators to sign the letter to the governor.
“This is a pivotal moment for our state’s energy future. We urge you to act now to protect the stability of our energy grid and the economic well-being of all New Yorkers,” the letter concludes.
