Assemblyman Angelino represents the 121st Assembly District, which includes parts of Broome County, Delaware County, Madison County, Chenango County and Otsego County. Follow Assemblyman Angelino on Facebook. (File photo)

One of the biggest issues New Yorkers are currently facing is the high cost of energy, and unfortunately, New York progressives are laser-focused on enacting a radical green new deal-style takeover of the grid. Their plan is pushing hard and fast for the end of natural gas use for energy in favor of wind and solar for complete electrification. This will take away consumer choice, put extra pressure on the grid, increase the chances of dangerous blackouts and increase costs on the consumer.

On June 23, 2025, Governor Hochul admitted as much in her announcement of plans to build a new nuclear facility in upstate New York. The governor’s statement realistically conceded that solar and wind energy are not enough to fully electrify the state. But of course, progressives immediately voiced their disdain on using nuclear power.

Nuclear power is going to be needed to power New York, and I am encouraged by the governor’s announcement, but to see Democrats in the Legislature instantly pushing back on it is concerning. It has to be “their way, or the no way.” Even carbon-free hydro-electric power generation is off-limits in their minds because of the environmental damage of building dams.

Let’s take a look at a few of the things the Majority has done to accomplish their goal of ending gas use and how they have tried to cover up the true costs of wind and solar. My Republican conference, the Minority, have introduced a multitude of bills that would increase transparency about the infamous Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which mandates the state reach unrealistic and costly electrification mandates. My conference introduced a bill (A.5395) that would require the Public Service Commission to conduct a full cost-benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy in New York. Another is the Ratepayer Disclosure and Transparency Act (A.6152-A) that would require a monthly report to ratepayers about how their money is being spent on utilities, as well as requiring utility companies to provide a detailed breakdown on consumer electric bills of costs associated with the CLCPA. Solar and wind construction would never take place as a stand-alone business investment without subsidies from consumers helping to pay for construction.

Both these bills, introduced by my good friend and colleague Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), were killed in the Energy Committee by Assembly Democrats. Why would they block bills that give New Yorkers transparency on the cost of their energy plans unless they know the reports would confirm their plans are untenable?

Another concerning development from the left was the passage of the reworked HEAT Act, now ironically named the Customer Savings and Reliability Act (A.8889), by the Senate. What this legislation does is make an aggressive push to rid New York of natural gas and move to full electrification. This will force millions of New Yorkers to retrofit their homes for all electric appliances for heating and cooking. Another bill (A.8888), which passed the Senate and Assembly, also repeals the “100-foot rule”, which will increase costs on home buyers. The 100-foot rule, which saves home buyers money by subsidizing natural gas hookups, will not only increase utility rates but will also result in the loss of thousands of jobs for trade workers. I also feel it is appropriate to mention that the Democrats did not end the 100-foot rule for electricity. All this is a direct attack on hard-working New Yorkers in an effort to please a radical progressive base.

New York State is one of the cleanest energy producers in the nation. Over 90 percent of upstate energy is clean and green because our electricity comes from Niagara Falls, the Saint Lawrence Seaway or nuclear power generation plants. New York City’s power was once supplied by the Indian Point Nuclear plant in Westchester County. That facility was shuttered in 2021. Now, New York City relies on natural gas for electric generation. The progressives hate this and want to replace gas with wind and solar, placed of course, in rural upstate lands. I’m not certain there is enough upstate land to provide space for all the solar panels needed to power New York City.

I believe not another solar field should be installed on upstate land until every New York City rooftop, empty space, and parking lot is covered with solar panels, closer to where the energy is needed. Be warned, the next assault on upstate New York will be the transmission line routes that will move the upstate energy to downstate by use of eminent domain. The straightest, flattest route will certainly be used.

The Democrat-sponsored measures are laudable goals, but unrealistic in practical application. I still believe there is an opportunity to work in a bipartisan manner to lower energy costs, while protecting the environment and the economy. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to fight for energy independence, consumer choice and lower utility rates.

Assemblyman Angelino represents the 121st  Assembly District, which includes parts of Broome County, Delaware County, Madison County, Chenango County and Otsego County. Follow Assemblyman Angelino on Facebook.