NEW YORK (WBNG) — New York State Assemblyman Joe Angelino and other New York representatives are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency due to the unaffordability of electricity costs statewide.
In a letter addressed to Hochul, representatives said that energy rates across the state are historic and unsustainable, threatening the state economy.
The letter mentions the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) real-time dashboard, which shows that the drivers of rising electricity prices include:
Declining generation supply and plant retirementsRising fuel costs and pipeline constraints Growing demand without adequate replacement of load capacity
NYISO warns that without sufficient and reliable generation, New York’s power grid will continue to lead to affordability challenges.
The letter called for immediate action from Hochul’s administration, stating that supply costs will end up passed onto ratepayers, leaving families and business owners as “victims of an energy market that is increasingly unstable and out of control.”
Declaring an Energy State of Emergency would allow Hochul’s administration to take immediate action, including
Placing safeguards on utility bills to protect consumers from extreme price spikesSuspending taxes, fees and surcharges on energy billsExpediting the construction of base load generation
Signing the letter with Angelino were Chris Friend (NY-124), Ari Brown (NY-20), Andrea Bailey (NY-133), Andrew Molitor (NY-150), Robert Smullen (NY-118), Joseph Sempolinski (NY-148), Chris Tague (NY-102), Michael Tannousis (NY-64) and MaryBeth Walsh (NY-122).
See the full letter here.
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