Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) issued the following statement highlighting the stark reality of New York’s flawed energy policy as confirmed by the recent NYSERDA memo. The analysis projects annual energy cost increases exceeding $4,000 for many upstate households once the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandates are fully implemented, validating years of warnings from the Minority Conference about the unsustainable path Albany has chosen.

Minority members have consistently highlighted the CLCPA’s aggressive timelines, lack of realistic affordability measures and risks to energy reliability. Now, even state agencies acknowledge the severe financial hit to working families, businesses and communities, which are exacerbating New York’s ongoing affordability crisis and contributing to the state’s leading position in national outmigration.

“For years, we’ve been raising the alarm that these extreme CLCPA mandates would drive up energy costs dramatically without delivering meaningful environmental benefits on a global scale. The NYSERDA memo shows that upstate families could see over $4,000 added to their annual bills, along with higher gasoline prices that will further strain household budgets,” said Smullen.

“Our state’s total greenhouse gas emissions represent only about 4% of the nation’s overall emissions. The “solutions” being imposed cannot be more damaging than the problems they target. Punishing hardworking New Yorkers with skyrocketing utility bills and energy shortages in pursuit of marginal gains is neither fair nor effective,” Smullen concluded.

Smullen urges continued pressure on Albany to reform these costly mandates before they cause lasting harm to the state's economy and residents.