Assemblyman Scott Gray recently highlighted the Assembly Minority Conference’s LOWER Plan, a proposal designed to reduce rising energy costs in New York by expanding reliable power generation and restoring energy choice. With residents paying the eighth-highest electric prices in the country and seeing bills double year after year, the current situation is unsustainable.

To help address rising costs, the conference proposes both short and long-term measures to lower energy prices. The first is sending utility rebate checks collected through state surcharges back to taxpayers. While temporary, these rebates ease the burden on residents struggling to pay bills.

In addition to expanding our energy supply through natural gas, nuclear, and other affordable power sources, we must repeal unworkable mandates. These mandates, which include all-electric building and vehicle requirements, do not align with the realities of New York’s current energy system. By cutting the supply of affordable energy sources while increasing demand on the grid, these mandates risk driving energy prices even higher for New Yorkers.

Gray added, “The conference’s plan focuses on increasing power capacity, restoring energy choice, and letting New Yorkers keep gas-powered appliances that make life more affordable and reliable. By expanding supply and removing costly mandates, our simple goal is to lower utility bills, strengthen our grid, and make sure your affordability is our fight.”