WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – A leaked memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority warns that consumers could face significantly higher energy costs if the state continues on its current path to meet the goals of its landmark climate law.
The memo, sent by NYSERDA, states that if the state fully implements regulations to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s 2030 targets, it could add $2 to the price of gas and increase annual expenses by $4,000 for homes that use natural gas and oil. NYSERDA also acknowledges in the memo that there may not be enough energy to meet demand.
The CLCPA was passed in 2019. The state has described it as “one of the most ambitious climate laws in the nation.”
North Country Republican lawmakers said the memo confirms what they have long argued about the law’s cost structure.
“All of this stuff we knew, and we’ve been preaching about,” said Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush.
“We were sold this bill of goods that building a bunch of solar and wind across New York state with battery facilities would lower the prices of energy,” Walczyk said. “People have seen the opposite in their wallets, and now it’s a leaked memo with a little bit of honesty about what the cost structure looks like.”
Blankenbush said the situation amounts to an affordability crisis.
“The only way we could put a pause on this and stop to this is that we’re in an election year, and my opinion is we have to get a new Governor,” Blankenbush said. “That’s the first step in stopping this nonsense.”
At an event Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul indicated the issue could factor into upcoming budget negotiations. Her comments came after the Senate Majority Leader said she intended to make no changes to the CLCPA.
“I’m not going to telegraph what we’re talking about in our negotiations, but I think everybody knows we have a real problem on our hands,” Hochul said.
State Sen. Dan Stec said the dispute could delay the state budget.
“She’s had a wake-up call, some sort of epiphany,” Stec said. “Clearly the exchange between what the Senate Majority said, and the NYSERDA memo that got leaked, this will be the battle of the budget now and you might be throwing an on-time budget out the window if the Governor sticks to her guns here.”
Lawmakers said that two weeks ago, during a budget meeting focused on energy, questions about cost went unanswered.
Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.