“If this plan moves forward as written, it will fail”
By Legislator Gretchen Hanchett – Allegany County, NY
New York State’s Draft Energy Plan is not just unrealistic, it’s dangerous for rural communities like ours. It demands full electrification without the infrastructure, funding, or practical alternatives to support it. If this plan moves forward as written, it will fail, and it will leave families, schools, and small businesses in Allegany County to pick up the pieces.
Our Grid Can’t Handle the Load
Let’s be honest: our electric grid is nowhere near ready for what Albany is proposing. Transmission lines are outdated. Capacity is limited. Mandating electric heat, vehicles, and equipment without first upgrading the grid is reckless, and it puts lives at risk.
Natural Gas Is Not Optional
In Allegany County, natural gas isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. It’s reliable, affordable, and safe. Eliminating it without proven, affordable replacements is a direct threat to public safety. Albany must stop pretending one energy source fits all. It doesn’t.
Rural Schools and Roads Are Being Ignored
Electric buses may work in urban areas, but they’re not viable for long rural routes, cold weather, or hilly terrain. Charging infrastructure is nonexistent in many districts, and the cost of installation is prohibitive for small school systems already stretched thin.
And our roads?
They’re not built for this. The added weight of electric buses, often thousands of pounds heavier than diesel models, accelerates wear and tear on already fragile infrastructure. Narrow shoulders, frost-heaved pavement, collapsed culverts, and steep grades make rural travel challenging even for standard vehicles. Electrification won’t fix potholes or unsafe drop-offs. It won’t widen roads or reinforce bridges.
Senators George Borrello and Tom O’Mara, along with Assemblyman Joe Sempoliski, have been vocal in opposing the electric school bus mandate and other unrealistic energy deadlines. They’ve introduced legislation to delay or replace these mandates with pilot programs and cost-benefit reviews—because they understand what rural districts are up against.
At the federal level, Congressman Nick Langworthy has introduced the Energy Choice Act to protect access to natural gas and prevent states from banning it in new construction. Langworthy has called Albany’s approach “reckless and ideological.” I stand with Congressman Nick Langworthy, Senators George Borrello and Tom O’Mara, and Assemblyman Joe Sempoliski in calling for practical, inclusive solutions that reflect the realities of rural New York.
The Cost Burden Is Crushing
This plan assumes families can afford heat pumps, EVs, and solar panels. That’s not reality here. Many households are already stretched thin. This plan will deepen inequality and destabilize rural economies.
Local Voices Matter
Albany must stop steamrolling rural input. One-size-fits-all policy is lazy, dangerous, and doomed to fail. Local governments must have real authority—not ceremonial comment periods.
What Albany Must Include: A Real Energy Mix
We support clean energy—but it must be diverse, flexible, and regionally appropriate. Rural New York needs:
- Natural Gas – A transitional fuel that remains essential for heating and cooking
- Propane – Widely used in homes, farms, and small businesses
- Biofuels – Renewable and locally sourced, with potential for rural economic growth
- Hydropower – Clean, reliable, and already part of our energy landscape
- Geothermal – Promising for heating, but requires upfront investment and education
- Hydrogen – Emerging technology with potential for transportation and industry
- Wood and Pellet Heating – Still vital for many households, especially in winter emergencies
We need a plan that reflects reality, not ideology. That means:
- Phased timelines based on infrastructure readiness
- Immediate investment in grid modernization
- Continued support for transitional and alternative fuels
- Transportation upgrades for rural schools and roads
- Respect for regional differences and local control
- Incentives for innovation—not punishments for noncompliance
Rural New York will not be sacrificed for political theater. We demand a plan that works for everyone.
What You Can Do
1. Submit a Comment
Tell NYSERDA what matters to you, your story, your concerns, your ideas.
– Online: energyplan.ny.gov/Get-Involved/Comment
– Email: nysenergyplan@nyserda.ny.gov
– Mail: NYSERDA, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203
2. Attend a Public Hearing
Speak directly to decision-makers. I’ll share dates and links as they’re announced.
3. Share Your Story
Outages, high bills, propane bans, grid gaps—your experience matters. I can help you shape it into a powerful message.
4. Rally Others
Encourage neighbors, businesses, and nonprofits to submit comments. Use hashtags like #RuralEnergyEquity and #NYEnergyPlan to amplify your voice.
Sample Message You Can Use
“As a resident of Allegany County, I’m deeply concerned about rural energy reliability and affordability. The Draft Energy Plan must include place-based solutions that reflect our geography and economic realities…”
Gretchen Hanchett is a Legislator in Allegany County, NY and a longtime advocate for rural infrastructure, family wellbeing, and economic development.
