NY GOVERNOR’S ENERGY PLAN COULD BE A NATIONWIDE TURNING POINT

This September, the New York Public Service Commission approved NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to expand the state’s natural gas supply. It’s a small step in a larger campaign to bring down energy costs for Americans across New York. Governor Hochul is implementing a balanced approach; an “all of the above” energy policy that includes renewable, nuclear, and natural gas and is one that sees support from all sides of the political aisle.

New York has an energy problem. The New York Independent Systems Operator (ISO), which maintains control over the state’s power grid, raised severe concerns surrounding the strains that are being placed due to the amount of power the grid can supply in a recent report. In addition, costs have been steadily increasing for everyday Americans.

Former Congressman Tim Ryan, Co-Chair of the Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, called attention to Gov. Hochul’s approach as an example for other Democrats in a recent Newsweek op-ed:  

“Governor Hochul's recent acknowledgment that natural gas must be part of New York's energy future is a critical turning point. It signals that the governor understands what many in her party have struggled to admit: that achieving a clean energy future does not mean discarding the tools that work today. Natural gas remains a cornerstone of grid reliability. During times of peak demand—like Winter Storm Elliott—it's often the last line of defense.

The op-ed cites polling by Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future that found that 66% of all New York voters supported natural gas, including 74% of state Democrats.

This common-sense and balanced approach could be a possible turning point for Americans when it comes to driving down costs and producing enough energy through natural gas. If Hochul’s plan succeeds, it could be a launchpad for a bipartisan and nationwide energy revival that would reduce overall energy costs for all Americans.