Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C–Northport) today joined Minority Leader Ed Ra(R,C-Franklin Square) andAssembly Minority colleagues in calling for immediate action to lower utility costs and strengthen New York’s energy grid as families and small businesses face continued price increases as a result of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

This comes in the wake of information released that residential electricity prices have risen 47.1% since 2019, the year the CLCPA was passed, and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is warning of reliability challenges in the near future.

“Long Islanders are already paying some of the highest energy costs in the country,” Brown said. “Families, seniors and small businesses in Suffolk County are feeling the strain every month. We must focus on affordability and reliability before imposing additional mandates, such as the repeal of the 100-foot rule and passage of the gas stove ban that make life even more unaffordable.”

The proposals supported by Brown include:

• An immediate halt on the natural gas ban and the zero-emission school bus mandate
• Income-based rebate checks of up to $400 for eligible ratepayers and returning surplus clean energy funds to customers in the form of direct utility bill credits
• Strengthening grid reliability by bringing additional energy production online and upgrading existing infrastructure
• The expansion of the POWER UP grant program to incentivize the quick build-out of energy reliability

“We can advance cleaner energy while protecting ratepayers,” Brown said. “Our priority should be reliable power, reasonable costs and a balanced path forward that works for Long Island families. We need a plan not goals!”