ALBANY – Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown) on Tuesday joined Assembly Republican Leader Ed Ra and other members of the Assembly Minority Conference to unveil the Lights On With Energy Relief (LOWER) plan, a proposal aimed at lowering utility costs, strengthening grid reliability, and restoring balance to the state’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.
“New York is having an energy heart attack that we cannot ignore,” Slater said. “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.
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.
Democrats hold a vast majority of the seats in the lower house and passage of a Republican bill is seen as unlikely.
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