Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) announced his support for bill A.6260, sponsored by Assemblyman Philip Palmesano. Which would require the New York Public Service Commission to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy systems across the state. That means looking not just at environmental benefits but also the real-world costs, reliability and long-term impacts of transitioning to things like wind, solar and battery storage.

The study would examine the impact of renewable energy on electric bills and overall costs, grid reliability when wind and solar are not producing power and the cost of infrastructure such as transmission and energy storage. It would also evaluate the role of natural gas and nuclear energy in maintaining reliability, as well as the broader effects on businesses, agriculture and consumers, including long-term maintenance and disposal costs.

“This bill requires the state to fully analyze the economic and practical impacts of its renewable energy goals before continuing implementation,” said Meghan Hurlburt, Assemblyman Brian Maher’s chief of staff. “This is important to ensure that New York’s transition to cleaner energy is both affordable and reliable for families, small businesses and communities across the state. Taking a thoughtful, data-driven approach will help protect ratepayers while ensuring we meet our long-term energy needs responsibly.”

Maher emphasized that transparency and accountability are critical as New York continues to pursue ambitious energy goals and that a full, independent analysis will provide lawmakers and the public with a clearer understanding of the costs and challenges ahead.