Albany, NY — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) today urged New York legislators and Governor Andrew Cuomo to oppose expansive, ill-advised legislation that would negatively impact to families and small businesses throughout the state by rejecting our ability to access affordable energy and infrastructure. In response, Mike Butler, Executive Director for CEA, made the following statement:
“The Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) being pushed by activist groups is unrealistic, unachievable, and would decimate budgets for cash-strapped households and seniors living on fixed incomes,” said Butler. “It’s nothing short of a wholesale upending of New York’s entire economy: how we get to and from to work, harvest our food, enjoy travel, generate electricity, heat and cool our homes. Everything energy touches would be negatively impacted.
“What’s most alarming is the supporters pushing this incredibly ill-conceived measure haven’t even provided a real cost estimate for families and business in New York who already pay some of the nation’s highest energy expenses. And, on top of it all, at a time when the U.S. has reduced emissions across the board, this bill would likely harm our environment by eliminating consumers’ choice between the use of balanced, reliable energy resources and forcing an abrupt transition without accommodating for the intermittency of renewable energy resources.
“The legislation would mandate the elimination of all carbon emissions across an economy of nearly 20 million people in just 30 years. There is simply no way to get where these groups want to go while providing New Yorkers with the energy they need to get to work or put affordable food on their tables or heat their homes. It also overlooks several vital facts – first being that expanding natural gas in New York has saved consumers over $30 billion over the last ten years; and second, while the use of natural gas use has increased significantly in the state – carbon emissions have gone down over 50% since 2000. We agree that increased consumption of renewables is essential, but this bill is not the answer.
On behalf of millions of people across New York struggling with energy bills, we urge Governor Cuomo and the legislature to oppose the CCPA.”
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our energy needs.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
