North Country Assemblymen express their concern about an environmental policy impacting electric rates as the New York State budget misses its first deadline.The budget was supposed to be due Wednesday, but lawmakers haven’t been able to agree on policy issues, leading to an extension.One key issue is New York’s environmental mandates, specifically addressing electricity.”We’re in an energy crisis,” said Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R) NY-114.Assemblymen on both sides of the aisle predict it will contribute to many budget extensions this year.”Nothing has been agreed to,” said Assemblyman Michael Cashman (D) NY-115. “One of my colleagues said, ‘We are at the beginning of the middle.'”This is the seventh consecutive year the state has not passed a budget in time.Both Democratic and Republican assembly leaders say one mandate they’re focusing on is the state’s Climate and Leadership and Community Protection Act. It was signed into law in 2019. The CLCPA deals with electrification and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statewide electric bus mandate.”We certainly should have aspirational goals,” said Cashman. “I’ve not met a single person that wants dirty water or dirty air. But the reality, for example, in the North Country, we do not have electrical transmission lines that will allow for us to meet the goals and objectives of the electric school buses.”Cashman added that electric school buses are expensive. Simpson said the mandate may not be feasible in the North Country and does not help with New York’s growing affordability crisis.”That’s money that is being derived from our utility bills,” said Simpson. “So, if we were truly looking out for New Yorkers and the affordability issue, we would abandon this.”Simpson is calling for a total abandonment of the CLCPA. He said more New Yorkers are moving out of the state because electricity is too expensive.He and Cashman agree there needs to be more communication between electric companies and customers.”We want transparency,” said Simpson. “We want to know what this is. It’s surprising to me that we are still talking about transparency at this point with this energy crisis.”Simpson and Cashman also said some of the state’s electric mandates are making housing more expensive and slowing down housing development.Passing the budget is lawmakers’ main focus right now, but Cashman said his legislation addressing high utility costs is still one of his top priorities.”I remain fervent and dogged to make sure that is a conversation that continues to occur,” said Cashman.The new budget deadline is next week. In the meantime, state employees will continue to be paid.

ALBANY, N.Y. —

North Country Assemblymen express their concern about an environmental policy impacting electric rates as the New York State budget misses its first deadline.

The budget was supposed to be due Wednesday, but lawmakers haven’t been able to agree on policy issues, leading to an extension.

One key issue is New York’s environmental mandates, specifically addressing electricity.

“We’re in an energy crisis,” said Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R) NY-114.

Assemblymen on both sides of the aisle predict it will contribute to many budget extensions this year.

“Nothing has been agreed to,” said Assemblyman Michael Cashman (D) NY-115. “One of my colleagues said, ‘We are at the beginning of the middle.'”

This is the seventh consecutive year the state has not passed a budget in time.

Both Democratic and Republican assembly leaders say one mandate they’re focusing on is the state’s Climate and Leadership and Community Protection Act. It was signed into law in 2019.

The CLCPA deals with electrification and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statewide electric bus mandate.

“We certainly should have aspirational goals,” said Cashman. “I’ve not met a single person that wants dirty water or dirty air. But the reality, for example, in the North Country, we do not have electrical transmission lines that will allow for us to meet the goals and objectives of the electric school buses.”

Cashman added that electric school buses are expensive. Simpson said the mandate may not be feasible in the North Country and does not help with New York’s growing affordability crisis.

“That’s money that is being derived from our utility bills,” said Simpson. “So, if we were truly looking out for New Yorkers and the affordability issue, we would abandon this.”

Simpson is calling for a total abandonment of the CLCPA. He said more New Yorkers are moving out of the state because electricity is too expensive.

He and Cashman agree there needs to be more communication between electric companies and customers.

“We want transparency,” said Simpson. “We want to know what this is. It’s surprising to me that we are still talking about transparency at this point with this energy crisis.”

Simpson and Cashman also said some of the state’s electric mandates are making housing more expensive and slowing down housing development.

Passing the budget is lawmakers’ main focus right now, but Cashman said his legislation addressing high utility costs is still one of his top priorities.

“I remain fervent and dogged to make sure that is a conversation that continues to occur,” said Cashman.

The new budget deadline is next week. In the meantime, state employees will continue to be paid.