Former Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is warning that New York’s aggressive climate mandates have driven electric rates sharply higher while delivering “few environmental benefits,” citing a new report from the Center for Cost Effective Government.
According to Levy, the analysis shows that electricity bills climbed by roughly 50 percent in the six years following implementation of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. “Progressive policies implemented by New York’s Legislature designed to tackle climate change have caused energy rates in the state to skyrocket,” Levy said, calling the results “economically damaging and environmentally ineffective.”
The CLCPA, enacted in 2019, mandates a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, net-zero emissions by 2050, and 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040. Levy said state leaders are now quietly retreating from those goals. “The government has been telling utilities to slow-walk the decommissioning of gas-fired plants,” he said, adding that the governor paused an all-electric mandate for new buildings after the November election.
Levy blamed rising costs on policies that shut down nuclear plants, blocked natural gas pipelines, banned fracking, imposed carbon penalties on utilities, and mandated electric vehicles. “Ironically, New York’s carbon footprint wound up being worse after passage of this bill,” he said.
He pointed to upcoming rate hikes as evidence of mounting strain, noting that New York State Electric & Gas has proposed a 23.7 percent increase, while National Grid and Con Edison are also seeking significant hikes. “This lack of supply is being exacerbated by the enormous energy demands of the AI revolution,” Levy said.
Levy cited Germany and California as cautionary examples and warned offshore wind projects are now seeking higher rates to cover rising costs. “At first, we were told it would save money,” he said. “Now the argument is simply that it’s worth paying an arm and a leg.”
Levy said New York should pursue “a rational, gradual transition” focused on affordability, reliability, and innovation rather than “extreme policies that burden families today for minimal gains decades from now.”