Assemblyman Joe DeStefano joined fellow Republican lawmakers from the state Assembly and Senate at the Capitol this week to raise concerns about rising energy costs in New York, warning that current state policies could lead to even higher prices for residents and businesses.
Speaking during a press conference in the Senate Parlor, DeStefano (R,C–Medford) pointed to a 47.1% increase in residential electricity prices since 2019 and said families across Long Island are already feeling the financial strain.
“This memo confirms what families and small businesses across Long Island already know from experience — Albany’s energy policies are driving costs higher while creating uncertainty about the reliability of our grid,” DeStefano said.
The lawmakers highlighted a Feb. 26 internal memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that outlines potential costs associated with implementing the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
According to the memo, gasoline prices could rise by more than $2.23 per gallon by 2031, diesel could increase by $2.41 per gallon, and natural gas could climb by $16.96 per MMBtu if current policies remain unchanged. The analysis also suggests that some upstate households relying on oil or natural gas could see annual energy costs increase by more than $4,000, while businesses could face utility cost increases of up to 46%.
“This isn’t theoretical — this is showing up in people’s mailboxes every month,” DeStefano said. “When utility bills jump nearly 50% in a few years, that’s not a minor adjustment. That’s a crisis.”
Republican lawmakers called for what they described as immediate relief for ratepayers and greater oversight of how energy-related surcharges are spent. Proposals discussed included rebate checks of up to $400 for eligible residents, returning surplus clean energy funds to customers as credits on utility bills, and expanding the POWER UP grant program to support new reliable energy sources.
“The goal should be stability,” DeStefano said. “Stable supply, stable prices and a stable grid. Long Island families need predictability, not policy experiments.”