Some of Onondaga County’s lawmakers said they want to help curb rising energy costs, and they’re asking local residents to help.
The legislature’s GOP caucus wants to send a directive to the state government in Albany to reverse actions that drive up utility bills.
Minority Leader Brian May has heard from constituents who are having trouble.
“There are people on fixed incomes, there's no way they can keep up with these price increases," May said. "I don't think anybody envisioned what they'd be as a result of some of these initiatives that are taking place.”
The Republican lawmakers are rallying support behind their effort to influence state government.
“We’re asking every county resident to sign an online petition that we’ve set up to tellGov. Huchul and Albany that the rate hikes need to end now,” May said.
The problem is front and center, not just with constituents, but with legislators themselves. Earlier this week, they had to approve an additional $1.4 million in spending to cover higher utility costs in county facilities.
The lawmakers also blame the state’s climate law, which has a goal of reducing fossil fuel use and climate change. Legislator Rich McCarron would like to see that scrapped because of the current costs.
"The additional fees on our utility bills are forward payments to allow the utility companies to build the infrastructure that would be required if this were even to be a viable plan," McCarron said. "However, I think what we're seeing is the costs are going to drive New Yorkers out of the area.”
The GOP caucus has a petition for residents to sign that they said will send Albany the message that affordability has to come first.
