Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Adirondack) joined fellow Minority Assembly members in signing a letter to the governor calling for an immediate declaration of an energy state of emergency in New York. The urgent request comes as families and small businesses across the state grapple with historic electricity price spikes and supply shortages driven by years of unbalanced energy policies.

The letter highlights recent New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) data showing extreme wholesale price volatility. Day-ahead market surges approached or exceeded $1,000 per megawatt-hour in some zones during late-January cold snaps as a result of a systemic crisis. Key drivers include declining state generation capacity from plant retirements, constrained natural gas supplies, rising demand from electrification and overreliance on intermittent renewables without adequate dispatchable backup.

“Hardworking New Yorkers in the Adirondacks and across the state need protection from volatile utility rates,” said Simpson. “Our constituents are facing electric bills that are simply unaffordable. Families are choosing between heat and groceries, and small businesses are being priced out of operating here. The NYISO’s own warnings make it clear that we have a supply emergency fueled by plant retirements, pipeline constraints and mandates that have left our grid vulnerable. The governor must declare an energy state of emergency now so we can protect ratepayers from extreme spikes.”