In past columns, I spoke about the importance of including ‘biomass’ under the renewable energy umbrella. Albany Majority lawmakers who continue to push their radical climate agenda have failed to recognize the need for bioenergy and biomass, especially here in the North Country. The biomass facility in Black River has continued to create economic activity while simultaneously providing energy security for Fort Drum and the 10^th Mountain Division. Its continued operation goes beyond any debate surrounding climate, this is a matter of national security.

Last year, I introduced a bipartisan and bicameral bill with Sen. Ritchie (A.9127 of 2022) that would have protected biomass facilities on military installations such as Fort Drum. The Majority lawmakers failed to bring this bill up for a vote and this is why we have renewed our call for biomass protections in the new legislative session. I am joining S.4566 as an Assembly sponsor, as this bill would deem biomass facilities as renewable energy systems and allow for their continued operation, even if Majority pushes through their dangerous and unproven climate plans.

It is critical we get this bill passed to protect North Country jobs and our continued energy security. Just as important though is raising continued awareness around the Majority lawmakers final version of the Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan. This plan aims to completely electrify our state and overhaul the energy grid. With New Yorkers still struggling with high inflation, the highest taxes in the nation and burdensome regulations, I could not think of a worst time for this plan to come to fruition. As mentioned previously, if the plan is adopted each homeowner could be on the hook for over $35,000 to retrofit their homes in accordance with the plan. The governor continues to talk about out-migration being a problem, which it certainly is, but could you imagine what would happen if New Yorkers are stuck with this outrageous bill? Our Minority conference has presented a bill that calls for a full cost-benefit analysis on this plan that would have huge financial implications on the taxpayer. Albany Majority’s stance on this? Crickets.

Many of the dates outlined in the plan are not too far off in the near future. Adopting zero-emission standards that prohibit the replacement of fossil-fuel appliances in existing buildings by 2035. All new passenger car and truck sales in the state of New York must be zero-emission by 2035. As well as a fully electric fleet of school buses in each district by 2035. Our school districts are already struggling financially, how much are they going to be paying for a fully electric fleet, with each bus costing up to $440,000? Once you acknowledge these realities, it makes this plan sound exactly like what it is—a sham.

I encourage everyone to read the final scoping plan put forth by the Climate Action Council. The more awareness and public pressure we can create on this out-of-touch and financially devastating plan, the better. Grid reliability, affordability, and our national security, especially in the case of Fort Drum remain at the forefront of my thinking on any climate agenda.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office at 315-493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov.