Press Releases

Two energy industry veterans — who supported carbon markets and helped develop and operate generating projects, including renewable projects in competitive electricity markets where there is carbon pricing— now warn the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has become “essentially a tax” on New Yorkers’ electric bills As New York families and businesses continue to absorb […]

“We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the need to change course on policies that will no doubt pile on costs to New Yorkers at a time when they can least afford them. Adjusting the state’s emissions accounting formula and extending deadlines for provisions under the climate law are positive steps towards ensuring that New York […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director, Upstate United in response to an amicus brief filed by some New York State lawmakers in support of petitioners suing the Department of Environmental Conservation. “This amicus brief is completely out of touch—and frankly, unconscionable. At a time when New Yorkers are already struggling with rising […]

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “The data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in today’s Albany Times Union article is as alarming as it is timely while lawmakers continue to negotiate this year’s fiscal plan. The data shows that nearly $10 billion in taxable income was lost due to the significant […]

As Governor Hochul proposes amendments to the Climate Act, questions remain about the cost of those changes and their impact on households and businesses. The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “We appreciate the Governor’s recognition that the current law has flaws and needs to be revisited. But the […]

Following the release of a NYSERDA memo, Upstate United asks the Legislature to heed serious warnings and address unconscionable increases. Today, Upstate United released a new fact sheet detailing the gasoline price impacts associated with Cap-and-Invest, including the state’s own projection that the policy could raise gasoline prices by $2.23 per gallon. Based on data […]

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “While the Senate and Assembly One-House Budget proposals include modest measures intended to provide relief, nothing outlined within them comes close to offsetting the additional $4,000 in annual energy costs that Cap-and-Invest is projected to impose on upstate households for home heating. “It is infuriating […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “State Budget Director Blake Washington recently warned that the energy transition could cost many New Yorkers an additional $3,000 a year – approximately 4.5% percent of the average upstate household income. At a time when New Yorkers are already struggling, adding $3,000 in […]

The following can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “At a time when many of our state leaders, representatives, and stakeholders have started to recognize the major factors contributing to skyrocketing utility bills, it is incredibly frustrating that some of the very legislators who sponsored and passed the CLCPA in 2019 […]

The following can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “As usual, today’s State of the State address included a long list of aspirational proposals that, without more details, could prove difficult to fully assess. That said, we agree with the Governor that utility bill transparency is long overdue. But when talking […]