Upstate United Releases Fact Sheet on How Cap-and-Invest Will Increase Energy Costs for New Yorkers

January 10th, 2025

Asks the Governor and Legislature: What Increase in Gasoline Prices Are You OK With?

Today, Upstate United released a fact sheet highlighting the increased gasoline costs associated with Cap-and-Invest. Troubling Trends – Cap-and-Invest Means Higher Prices at the Pump demonstrates the increases in energy costs under the state’s current proposal.

“The numbers shared in our latest fact sheet in the “Troubling Trends” series should be alarming to the Governor and the Legislators who have vowed to make New York more affordable. We primarily highlight the hundreds of millions more that New Yorkers will have to pay at the pump from county to county. However, it is also worth noting that diesel fuel and transportation costs for goods will increase, as will the costs of natural gas used in commercial and manufacturing businesses. Each of these increases will, in one way or another, be passed on to consumers,” said Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United.

“With so much rhetoric about making our state more affordable, it’s hard to believe that moving forward with an economy-wide program like Cap-and-Invest, which could cost up to $15 billion annually, is still on the table. In fact, rather than mitigating the affordability crisis, New Yorkers will pay billions more when filling up their gas tanks, shopping for everyday items at the grocery store, or heating their homes.

“We encourage the Governor and State Legislators to take a hard look at the projected numbers under Cap-and-Invest while asking, ‘What gas price increases are you okay with for hardworking New Yorkers?’”