Assemblyman Brian Miller, R,C-New Hartford, criticized New York State’s draft energy plan alongside his colleagues at a press conference in Albany earlier this week, calling it a costly and unrealistic agenda that once again sidelines rural upstate communities, while driving up energy costs for families and businesses.
The press conference also highlighted the need for a 90-day extension on the public comment period as well as calling for additional in-person hearings to be added to the schedule. Miller emphasized that his district, which stretches across rural parts of New York, relies on a diverse mix of energy sources, from electricity and natural gas to propane, wood and oil.
“Once again, the state’s draft energy plan leaves rural upstate communities like ours behind. Families and businesses in the 122nd Assembly District are already struggling under failed and costly energy policies, and the closest public hearings were in Albany and Rochester, making it nearly impossible for residents in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York to have their voices heard,” Miller said. “Virtual participation is not enough, and our constituents deserve additional public hearings and an extension on the public comment period.”
Local employers, particularly large energy-dependent manufacturers in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York regions are left to comment virtually. In addition, the goals in the draft plan will
leave these industries without the reliable and affordable energy sources they rely on to grow economic development in the region.
“While the plan pays lip service to natural gas, nuclear, fuel diversity, affordability, and reliability, the actions being advanced tell a different story,” Miller said. “Our communities deserve a physical seat at the table, and an energy plan that is affordable, reliable, and realistic — not an extreme agenda that leaves them behind.”
Miller noted that families and small businesses are already straining under the weight of failed energy policies. His office fields calls and emails daily from constituents who have seen their bills skyrocket before new Public Service Commission approved rate hikes even take effect. Miller praised Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, R,C-Corning, for leading a statewide energy tour to highlight the voices of everyday New Yorkers.
“This plan gives utilities cover to hike rates even further, on top of increases already approved by the PSC,” Miller said. “Our communities deserve an energy plan that is affordable, reliable and realistic. What they don’t deserve is an extreme agenda that sidelines rural New Yorkers. Residents in my district use everything from electricity and natural gas to propane, wood and oil, and they should be free to choose what energy sources they use.”
More information about the draft energy plan and public hearings can be found here: https://ift.tt/kwqRK42
Assemblyman Brian Miller represents the 122nd Assembly district, consisting of parts of Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and Madison counties.
