Energy and Environment Plan

New York families are struggling to keep up with sky-high energy prices that are driven by radical policies advanced by Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats. Luckily, at the federal level, President Trump has reversed Biden-era restrictions that pushed the country toward unattainable Green New Deal mandates, and he continues to advance commonsense energy policies aimed at promoting domestic production and reducing prices for families and businesses.

While in Congress, I have advocated for revitalizing America’s energy sector and helped advance transformative energy policies, including provisions enacted through H.R. 1 that restore U.S. energy independence and reverse harmful Biden-era policies. The law secures regular onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales, lowers certain oil, gas, and coal royalty rates, and expands federal financing authority for domestic energy and critical mineral projects. The law will help ensure that Upstate New Yorkers and Americans across the country benefit from more affordable, reliable domestic energy and secure supplies of critical minerals. It will also create jobs, strengthen our infrastructure, and bolster America’s standing in global energy markets.

President Trump and House Republicans are advancing commonsense, sustainable energy policies that save families and workers money, while Democrats in Albany have long pursued the opposite. As New Yorkers know all too well, the Cuomo administration announced in 2014 that New York would prohibit high-volume hydraulic fracturing. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation formally prohibited the practice in 2015, and the Legislature codified the ban in 2020. This decision blocked access to a major domestic natural gas resource that provides cleaner, more reliable energy in New York. Even more devastatingly, the New York State Legislature hastily passed the so-called Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019 without a workable cost or reliability plan. The mandates enacted under this law are driving up utility bills, straining the electric grid, putting New Yorkers at risk, and pushing jobs and energy production out of state. New Yorkers are paying some of the highest electricity prices in the nation as dangerous and unrealistic energy mandates imposed by Albany Democrats collide with economic reality. This is why I have called for Albany to reverse this disastrous law. 

Over the past decade, our nation’s embrace of natural gas has allowed us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a greater margin than any other country. Nuclear energy remains a reliable, carbon-free source of electricity, and I am fighting to ensure it remains viable now and into the future. Technological innovation can build on this environmental progress while making our energy system more dependable and affordable.

Upstate New York is home to some of our nation’s most beautiful landscapes. Through commonsense conservation and pro-energy policies, we can do our part to preserve these treasures for future generations while unleashing domestic energy dominance. Cleaner energy does not have to mean higher costs or an unreliable power supply. A responsible path forward requires honest data and policies that provide reliable energy while allowing us to be good stewards of our environment. I encourage you to read below about the initiatives I support in Congress to deliver affordable energy and a healthy environment.

Combating Reckless New York State Energy Policies

• Introduced H.R. 3790, the Freedom to Frack Act: This bill withholds certain federal grants from states that impose a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Large portions of Central New York, Western New York, and the Southern Tier lie above the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations, which hold enough natural gas to power the state for decades and create thousands of jobs. This legislation pushes back against politically motivated bans and incentivizes states to lift restrictions on responsible natural gas development, which would lower energy prices and restore access to valuable domestic energy resources, driving job creation and economic growth.
• Cosponsored H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act: This bill prohibits state and local governments from banning energy sources like natural gas, propane, and other traditional fuels, safeguarding consumer choice. Banning certain fuels increases costs, threatens grid reliability, and limits energy diversity, particularly in regions with harsh climates or limited rural infrastructure. Establishing federal preemption of state or local bans will ensure a robust, resilient energy grid and secure access to diverse, dependable energy options for families, small businesses, and communities in New York.
• Sent a Letter to Governor Hochul on High Energy Costs: I sent a letter urging Governor Kathy Hochul to address the skyrocketing electric and gas bills burdening families and businesses statewide. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, was built on faulty data and is imposing high energy costs on New Yorkers through burdensome electrification mandates. New Yorkers are projected to see annual heating costs rise by up to $4,000 for Upstate households that use oil or natural gas. I urged Governor Hochul to repeal the CLCPA, argued that its mandates are unrealistic and damaging to the state’s economy, and requested that her administration return surplus and unspent state funds to ratepayers through immediate utility bill credits. New York needs an affordable and practical domestic energy policy that protects consumers, maintains grid reliability, and rejects costly political mandates.

Unleashing American Energy Production

• Voted to Pass H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: I proudly voted to pass this legislation, which was signed into law as Public Law 119-21. Its energy provisions require regular onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales; lower certain oil, gas, and coal royalty rates; repeal and rescind several prior energy provisions and funding streams; and expand federal financing authority for domestic energy and critical-mineral projects. These provisions support domestic production, grid reliability, and investment while strengthening U.S. energy security.
• Cosponsored H.R. 3978, the Nuclear REFUEL Act: This bill cuts unnecessary red tape for certain nuclear fuel recycling technology that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements. This change would streamline the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing framework for nuclear fuel-recycling technologies and provide greater regulatory certainty for investment. Advanced recycling can recover usable fuel from spent fuel rods for use in certain reactors and reduce the volume of material requiring long-term disposal. By supporting a more efficient nuclear fuel cycle, this legislation strengthens America’s nuclear supply chain and advances U.S. energy security.
• Cosponsored H.R. 4370, the Securing America’s Mineral Supply (SAMS) Act of 2025: This bill would preserve federal policies that accelerate permitting, expand access to mineral resources, support domestic processing and manufacturing, and improve coordination across federal agencies. Critical minerals are essential to America’s energy sectors, yet the United States remains dangerously dependent on countries like China for many of these resources. This legislation helps secure domestic mineral supply chains, create American jobs, and strengthen our economic and national security.
• Cosponsored H.R. 2806, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act: This legislation prohibits the sale of Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) petroleum products to entities under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party and requires that SPR products not be exported to the People’s Republic of China. Former President Biden misused the SPR for political purposes to cover up high costs caused by his failed energy agenda and allowed China to purchase American SPR resources. Congress must ensure that federal resources never enrich our adversaries.

Investing in Clean, Affordable Energy

• Introduced H.R. 1752, the Technology for Energy Security Act: This bill extends the investment tax credit (ITC) for fuel cells and linear generators by eight years. This bipartisan legislation will ensure continued growth of private investment in emerging energy technologies, creating resilience in America’s energy infrastructure.
• Cosponsored H.R. 2160, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act: This bill creates a 30% federal tax incentive for dam safety upgrades and environmental improvements. This directly benefits NY-24 by supporting the ongoing modernization of hydroelectric facilities in the region, strengthening the region's affordable and reliable energy supply, and helping protect the waterways vital to local communities, agriculture, and industry.
• Cosponsored H.R. 8497, the Supporting Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Act: This bill would extend the federal income tax and excise tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel through 2029. Biodiesel and renewable diesel support domestic energy production, strengthen markets for American agricultural products, and provide greater certainty for fuel producers making long-term investments. This legislation helps encourage continued investment in domestic biofuel production, strengthen America's energy security, and support economic growth in rural communities.
• Cosponsored H.R. 2813, the Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025: This bill establishes a Department of Energy (DOE) working group to commercialize and industrialize small modular reactors (SMRs) and modernizes the definition of SMR to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in advanced nuclear manufacturing. This would enable deployment of higher-output small modular reactors and could revolutionize America’s energy potential. Expanding advanced nuclear energy is vital to America’s energy security, manufacturing base, and our ability to meet rising electricity demand with clean power. This legislation aims to position the U.S. as a leader in SMR technology, fostering innovation, investment, and long-term energy reliability.

Protecting Our Natural Environment

• Introduced H.R. 2697, the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act: National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are congressionally designated ‘places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.’ Unlike national parks, NHAs are lived-in landscapes where communities collaborate to preserve and promote local heritage. The Finger Lakes region, much of which lies in and around NY-24, is known for its rich history and natural beauty. The counties included in the legislation are Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates. Designating the region as an NHA will preserve the region’s history and stories for generations to come.
• Co-led H.R. 2940, the Advancing Water Reuse Act: This bill provides a 30% federal tax credit for investments in water reuse projects, helping communities, industries, and utilities meet growing freshwater demands while reducing strain on aging water infrastructure. Eligible projects include installing or upgrading onsite water recycling systems at industrial, manufacturing, or food processing facilities; replacing freshwater with recycled water from a municipal provider; or building or expanding municipal water recycling systems under agreements that allow private taxpayers to claim the credit. By incentivizing water reuse, the legislation would help preserve drinking water supplies, support economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen long-term water security.
• Member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force: This bipartisan group of Members works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes. Members of the task force build support for key regional programs that advance ecological restoration and economic development throughout the Great Lakes basin. As a member of the Task Force, I am committed to protecting the Great Lakes for future generations.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5089, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025: This bill would reauthorize and strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather research and forecasting programs to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and warnings. Accurate weather forecasting is essential for protecting lives, safeguarding property, supporting agricultural decisions, and improving emergency response to natural disasters. This legislation would strengthen America's weather forecasting capabilities, assisting farmers, emergency managers, and communities with more reliable information to prepare for hazardous weather events.
• Cosponsored H.R. 284, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025: This bill would reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through fiscal year (FY) 2031, authorizing $500 million annually for FY 2027 through FY 2031. The GLRI is a congressionally authorized program that targets major threats to the Great Lakes, including toxic substances and invasive species. The Great Lakes are among the world’s most important freshwater resources for drinking water, transportation, recreation, and power generation. 
• Cosponsored H.R. 2145, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025: This bill requires the EPA to establish a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility, giving priority to projects in communities with no more than one materials recovery facility within a 75-mile radius. Recycling is a critical way to preserve our natural resources for longer, especially for critical recyclable minerals, such as aluminum. By supporting the expansion of recycling programs, we can both reduce trash flowing to our landfills and support domestic recycling industries.
• Supported Federal Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) uses no taxpayer money and invests earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing to support conservation projects that protect land and waterways to provide recreational opportunities. The LWCF offers grants to state and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities, including those used by sportsmen.

Your views are always important to me. Please write to me on my website or call my office at 202-225-3665 with feedback, questions, or concerns.