A new report from the conservative fiscal watchdog group finds that New York State's plan to boost renewable sources of energy and support struggling nuclear plants could cost more than the state estimates. The Empire Center says that could mean higher energy bills for consumers who are paying for the initiative that aims to cut harmful carbon dioxide emissions.
The plan calls for getting half of the state's energy from renewable sources, like wind and solar, by 2030. It includes lucrative subsidies for struggling nuclear power plants. Empire Center Policy Analyst Ken Girarden says there is a better and cheaper way.
"The Governor has picked out the prescription instead of letting the patient decide how we're going to get there," Girarden says. "You can get the same reduction in carbon dioxide emissions at a lower price and probably with even more innovation if the Public Service Commission or, even better, the state legislature created a looser regulatory framework."
Girarden says his analysis of the plan finds it will actually cost consumers more than $3 on their energy bills by 2021. That is 50 percent higher than the $2 estimated by the state.
However, Connor Bamberick with the Environmental Advocates of New York says it is a necessary cost.
"I'm more concerned with what the price would be for not moving toward a future that addresses the effects of climate change," he says.
Bamberick says a pivot toward cleaner and greener energy is the best interest of the state and could end up saving consumers money in the long run.