N.Y. API Director Moreau critiques state energy policies
American Petroleum Institute (API) New York Executive Director Karen Moreau spoke out against New York energy policies during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, stating that New Yorkers are forced to tolerate limited access to natural gas programs.
“While electricity and heating costs have dropped in most states, New York’s electricity prices are some of the highest in the nation – nearly 50 percent more than the national average – due in large part to self-imposed infrastructure constraints,” Moreau said. “Governor Cuomo has banned New York families and businesses from the benefits of accessing our own state’s energy resources through hydraulic fracturing, and now we’re banned from building the pipelines we need to get energy from other states. As the rest of the nation enjoys the economic benefits of the shale energy revolution, Gov. Cuomo’s policies have sealed New York off from job growth and affordable energy.
Moreau added that New York City decreased its energy-related carbon emissions by 24.5 percent between 2005 and 2013 – the lowest levels in 50 years – mostly through the increased use of natural gas. Due to policies in the state, however, Moreau argued that New York residents are unable to benefit fully from the alternative fuel because natural gas is costly and not easily accessible in the state.
Moreau urged New York leaders to fight to prioritize new energy infrastructure in the state, which begins with developing policies that support such programs.
