New York’s latest deep freeze and record-breaking snowfalls are a stark reminder that reliable, affordable energy isn’t optional — it’s essential to keeping families warm, communities safe, and the economy running. Yet the policy choices made in Albany are out of step with those basic goals. It is becoming increasingly clear that the mandates in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act have weakened grid reliability and driven up costs for working families and Main Street businesses.

How does the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act hurt NY?

Enacted in 2019, the CLCPA set ambitious clean energy targets and aggressive timelines to transition to zero-emissions power. In practice, its rigid mandates are pushing the transition faster than our infrastructure can absorb. The electric grid is under strain, and New Yorkers are paying the price. As state Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Elmira, recently said, “It’s becoming increasingly clear to New Yorkers, every month in their utility bills, that current CLCPA mandates and timelines are not affordable, realistic, or reliable.”

That lack of affordability and reliability becomes more than an inconvenience during these bitter cold months — it becomes a public safety risk.In my work with local leaders, business owners and families struggling with rising utility bills, I see these consequences firsthand. Energy costs ripple through every corner of the economy: families pay more to heat and power their homes, transportation becomes more expensive, and higher costs are passed along in the price of everyday goods and services. Small businesses face higher operating costs that squeeze already thin margins. From grocery stores and child care centers to manufacturers, schools and healthcare providers, reliable and affordable energy is not a luxury — it is the backbone of local economic stability.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has suggested tempering some of the law’s more aggressive mandates. In her 2026 State of the State address, she called for an “all-of-the-above” approach to generating more power through a diversity of energy sources — an approach that keeps the lights on and prices down. That recognition is welcome, but lowering costs will take more than good intentions. The fact is the economy doesn’t run on rhetoric. It runs on reliable energy, including the sources that have powered our industries and communities for generations. The Legislature must amend the law to reflect that reality. Without meaningful reforms, costs will keep rising and employers will think twice about investing in New York.

What does New York need?

A recent Empire Center for Public Policy study found that energy prices in New York rose nearly 8% year over year — faster than the national average. Residential electricity rates here are already about 50% higher than the U.S. average. As I noted in recent before the New York State Legislature 2026 Joint Budget Hearing, statewide mandates — particularly in energy policy — often undermine the sovereignty of local governments and limit municipal decision-making while driving up costs.

Speaking specifically about the Community Solar Act, I explained how local municipalities appreciate the ability to manage their own affairs and create local laws with little interference from the state. Unfortunately, as written, the bills that add to the Community Solar Act would erode self-governance in favor of state mandates. With top-down edicts, the result is almost always higher bills, reduced community input, and fewer resources for essential local services.

An energy system that prioritizes ambitious goals while sidelining community needs and reliable power sources is inherently vulnerable to disruptions and price spikes. A diversified energy mix provides stability. If we fail to diversify, outages and reliability failures become more likely, and both urban and rural communities will suffer the consequences. A balanced portfolio — including renewables, natural gas, and nuclear — helps keep power flowing and prices predictable, even as demand rises. And that’s what voters want. Sure, they support a clean energy transition, but not while they navigate the affordability crisis and are left with tough choices as the cost of living continues to soar.

Energy demand is rising quickly. New York’s electricity usage is projected to increase by more than 16% over the next decade. Meeting that growth will require realistic planning and a serious commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

By embracing a balanced, diverse energy portfolio, New York can build a more resilient grid and a stronger economic future. We can protect reliability, keep costs in check, and ensure that opportunity remains within reach for families and businesses across the Empire State. The time for talk is over. Albany needs to act.

Carolyn Price, EdD, is executive director at the Upstate New York Towns Association, based in Binghamton, which advocates for the unique needs of municipalities across Upstate New York.

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