Blakeman Criticizes Hochul’s Energy Policies

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman was outspoken against Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday, claiming that her green energy policies are “bankrupting” the residents of New York.

In a news conference held in Washington Heights, Blakeman, along with former Republican Governor George Pataki, pledged to utilize the state’s natural gas resources and reduce energy costs if elected.

Blakeman expressed doubt about the feasibility of relying solely on renewable energy sources, stating, “We can’t expect to completely supply our energy using only wind turbines and solar farms. This could financially ruin New Yorkers if it continues over the next four years.”

He added that a balanced energy policy is essential, pointing out that New York possesses one of the largest natural gas reserves globally but that Hochul’s administration is preventing extraction.

Pataki, who was in office from 1995 to 2006, echoed Blakeman’s sentiments, criticizing Hochul’s approach. “Since I left, Albany has done three things: raise your taxes, raise your electric bill, and make your streets less safe than they used to be. That has got to change,” he emphasized.

“We support renewable energy, but it has to be part of a plan that doesn’t lead to exorbitant costs,” he noted, highlighting the need for a pragmatic approach rather than an ideologically driven one.

Energy costs have been at the forefront of Blakeman’s campaign, as utility bills have steadily risen since Hochul took office in 2021. In fact, ConEd customers in the city saw a 27% increase in their bills between 2021 and 2025, raising the average monthly bill from $160 to $218.

Upstate, the situation is even direr with NYSEG customers experiencing a staggering 46% increase, which means their bills jumped from about $80 to $147.

According to Blakeman, these hikes, which he attributes to green energy initiatives, have landed New York among the states with the highest energy bills, only trailing Hawaii and California.

To address the issue, Blakeman is advocating for the use of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a controversial extraction method with environmental concerns, which was banned statewide in 2014 by former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and codified in 2021. This poses a significant hurdle for Blakeman if he wins the election on November 3.

Despite this, Blakeman remains steadfast, referencing a recent report from the Empire Center for Public Policy. The report suggested that natural gas could lower heating costs during winter months, possibly reducing average prices to about $131 per month, compared to around $550 for electric heating.

“We should adopt an ‘All of the above’ approach toward energy,” Blakeman remarked, as he acknowledged the struggles of residents facing high utility bills. “People are telling me wherever I go how expensive their utility bills are. We’ve got to focus on common sense and implement an energy policy that truly benefits the people.”

With midterm elections just two weeks away, Blakeman’s and Pataki’s remarks come at a time when some polls show Hochul only leading by 4 points.

In response, Hochul defended her energy strategies, highlighting the $1 billion in rebate checks sent to New Yorkers amid rising utility costs. “Energy costs are high, and I know families are struggling,” she said, noting the rebates before shifting blame to external factors like President Trump and the conflict in Iran for the escalating utility bills.

“But you know what would be much more effective in bringing down energy costs in New York? It’s ending the war with Iran,” she concluded.