Rochester Beacon LTE: Albany’s energy policies are driving higher bills—and lawmakers won’t own it

March 19th, 2026

March 19, 2026

New Yorkers are paying more for energy than ever—and the gap is only widening. Even before this winter’s cold snap, electricity bills in New York were already 44 percent higher than the national average, placing a growing strain on households and businesses alike.

These rising costs are often blamed on weather or global markets. But the reality is that state policies play a major role in shaping how much families and businesses pay each month.

The impact of these policies is already clear. According to the Department of Public Service, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) increased residential electric bills by 4.6 percent to 10.3 percent in 2023. By 2024, some large industrial users were seeing CLCPA-related costs account for more than 20 percent of their total electricity bills—putting jobs, investment, and economic growth at risk.

And these costs are poised to rise further. A recent analysis from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) found that the state’s forthcoming cap-and-invest program could increase gasoline prices by $2.23 per gallon—adding roughly $1,700 per year for the average household. When combined with rising utility costs, total annual energy expenses could climb by nearly $4,000 per household.

Despite this, some lawmakers have attempted to distance themselves from these impacts, suggesting that programs like cap-and-invest are optional or not required under the law. But a recent court decision makes clear that this argument does not hold up. The CLCPA explicitly directs regulators to adopt rules that ensure statewide emissions limits are met—leaving little room for anything short of comprehensive, enforceable policies capable of delivering those reductions.

And yet, even as the financial strain on households and businesses grows, Albany has failed to take meaningful steps to address affordability or reconsider the policies driving these increases. Instead, leaders continue to deflect responsibility while costs climb.

This is not an unavoidable outcome. It is the result of policy choices.

New Yorkers deserve honesty about what drives their energy bills—and a clear accounting of the policies behind those costs. At a minimum, lawmakers should support measures like the Ratepayer Transparency Act, which would show consumers how much of their bill is driven by public policy versus the actual cost of energy. Transparency alone won’t lower costs, but it is a necessary first step toward accountability.

More importantly, Albany must acknowledge that affordability, reliability and emissions reduction must be balanced—not pursued in isolation. Continuing down the current path—imposing new costs while delaying practical solutions—will only deepen the state’s affordability crisis.

New Yorkers are already paying the price through higher bills and increasing uncertainty about the reliability of their energy system.

The choice facing Albany is clear: continue deflecting responsibility while costs climb, or take meaningful steps to restore balance, improve transparency, and deliver relief before higher bills and reliability risks become even harder to reverse.

Justin Wilcox
Executive director, Upstate United