Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C–Batavia) joined his colleagues in Albany today at a press conference in the state Capitol where he called for immediate action to lower energy costs and strengthen grid reliability for upstate New York families, farmers and manufacturers.

“Upstate produces the food, power and products that keep this state running,” Hawley said. “Yet our residents are being crushed by skyrocketing utility bills and policies that ignore the realities of rural New York.”

Residential electricity prices in New York have risen more than 47% since 2019, and recent winter storms have driven energy costs to historic highs. Meanwhile, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has raised concerns about grid reliability in the coming years.

“For farmers drying grain, manufacturers running equipment and families heating their homes through long winters, reliable and affordable energy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Hawley said.

To provide relief to upstate New York, Hawley supports:

• Income-based rebate checks of up to $400 for utility ratepayers
• Direct reductions on monthly utility bills
• Returning surplus and uncommitted funds in NYSERDA’s Climate Investment Account (estimated at approximately $2.4 billion) back to ratepayers as bill credits
• Expanding the POWER UP grant program to accelerate development of reliable energy infrastructure

Hawley is also advocating for a true “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that supports natural gas, nuclear power, renewables and advanced technologies while expanding pipeline capacity where needed.

“Albany should not be forcing a natural gas ban or zero-emission school bus mandate onto communities that simply cannot absorb the costs,” Hawley said. “We need to eliminate unreasonable mandates and restore energy choice.”

Additionally, Hawley supports requiring utility companies to notify customers when energy supply rates increase by 40% or more month-over-month and to clearly communicate available bill assistance programs.

“Transparency, affordability and reliability must be our priorities,” Hawley concluded. “Upstate families deserve practical energy policy, not political experiments.”.