SLATER STANDS WITH LEADER ED RA TO UNVEIL ‘LIGHTS ON WITH ENERGY RELIEF’ PLAN

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown) today stood alongside Assembly Republican Leader Ed Ra and members of the Assembly Minority Conference to unveil the “Lights On With Energy Relief” (LOWER) plan—a comprehensive proposal aimed at lowering utility costs, strengthening grid reliability and restoring balance to New York’s energy policy.

With electricity prices for residential consumers having risen 47.1% since 2019, Assembly Republicans outlined immediate relief measures for ratepayers and long-term reforms to secure affordable, reliable power for the future.

The LOWER plan includes income-based rebate checks of up to $400 for utility ratepayers, providing direct financial relief to families struggling with rising monthly bills. The proposal also requires that surplus and uncommitted funds in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s climate investment account be returned directly to ratepayers as bill credits.

“From blackouts to bloated heating bills, a harsh reality has set in New York’s energy consumers. While Democrats have signaled little concern or willingness to address skyrocketing costs, Assembly Republicans refuse to sit idle while people are forced to decide between heating their homes or feeding their families,” said Leader Ra. “Our LOWER Plan looks to tackle the current crisis head on, by getting immediate relief into the hands of New Yorkers and facilitating improved power generation to meet growing demand.”

“New York is having an energy heart attack that we cannot ignore. The LOWER plan provides targeted rebate checks, returns unspent funds back to ratepayers and restores balance to our energy policy by investing in nuclear, natural gas, renewables and advanced technologies. This is about immediate affordability, reliability and common sense for a sustainable future,” Slater continued.

The plan also advances what Assembly Republicans describe as a true all-of-the-above energy policy—expanding pipelines, natural gas, nuclear, renewables and other advanced technologies to ensure affordable and reliable power generation across the state.

“These funds are collected through energy surcharges that New Yorkers pay every single month on their utility bills,” Slater said. “Most ratepayers have no idea that billions of dollars are sitting in a state-controlled account while they struggle to pay their electric bills. There is currently an estimated $2.4 billion available, and it is outrageous that a state agency is holding onto this money instead of returning it directly to the families and small businesses who paid into it.”

Earlier this month, Assemblyman Slater spearheaded a formal letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging her to declare a state energy emergency in New York. In the letter, Slater outlined the sharp rise in electricity costs, increasing strain on grid reliability and the growing financial burden placed on working families, seniors and small businesses.

Slater called on the Governor to take immediate executive action to stabilize energy prices, review current mandates that may be driving up costs and prioritize policies that protect grid reliability. He emphasized that the situation demands urgent attention before reliability concerns turn into service disruptions for communities across the Hudson Valley and the state.

The LOWER plan delivers both immediate relief and long-term reforms to ensure New York’s energy future is built on affordability, reliability and economic growth—not mandates that strain the grid and burden taxpayers.