ALBANY, NY – [Photo: Darren McGee/Office of Governor]
As gas prices skyrocket in New York and across the nation, Governor Kathy Hochul slammed President Trump and Washington Republicans for once again driving up costs for New Yorkers. Since February 28, average gas prices across New York have increased by 62-cents per gallon, or roughly 21 %, according to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which tracks internal, industry and related association data for the state, the Governor’s Office noted.
Diesel prices have increased statewide by $1.13 per gallon, or 28 %, since the war began and surpassed $5.00 per gallon on March 13.
Just this past weekend alone, statewide gasoline and diesel prices jumped 8-cents per gallon and 11 cents per gallon, respectively, from Friday to Monday. Home heating fuel like propane and crude oil are also rising due to the impacts of the war.
Governor Hochul highlighted on March 16 during a visit at a local business in Tonawanda, NY, her ongoing commitment to lowering energy costs, including her Ratepayer Protection Plan to cut hidden fees on utility bills, hold utility companies accountable, and increase access to energy affordability programs that help reduce monthly bills for New Yorkers. The Governor also highlighted her “all-of-the-above” energy strategy to build more nuclear, renewables and other energy sources to increase supply and keep costs down.
Additionally, Governor Hochul called on the State Legislature to work with her to make necessary changes to New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which was enacted in 2019 under the previous State administration.
“President Trump promised to lower energy prices, but instead, he and his administration have driven up costs for New Yorkers with illegal tariffs — and now they’re driving up gas prices with the War in Iran”, Governor Hochul said. “As Republicans in Congress ignore these gas price hikes, I’ll keep working to tackle rising energy costs by protecting consumers, holding utility companies accountable and building more of the energy sources our state needs”.
Governor Hochul highlighted her Ratepayer Protection Plan, introduced in her 2026 State of the State Address, which aims to reduce energy costs for New Yorkers. The plan would eliminate hidden utility fees, require utilities to tie executive compensation to customer affordability, and mandate budget‑constrained rate proposals that keep operating and capital costs below inflation. It also expands access to energy‑affordability programs that help households lower monthly bills and ensures large data centers pay for their own energy use rather than shifting costs onto consumers.
Governor Hochul also urged the State Legislature to work with her on reforms to New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the 2019 climate law enacted under the previous administration. While the CLCPA is not the main cause of today’s high utility rates, leaving it unchanged will significantly worsen future costs.
A NYSERDA analysis shows that implementing the law on its current timeline could raise annual household energy bills by $4,000 for upstate oil and natural gas users and $2,300 for New York City natural gas households by 2031. It could also add $2.39 per gallon to gas prices, with businesses facing potential energy cost increases of 46 %.
Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to clean energy and decarbonization but noted that post‑COVID inflation, supply‑chain disruptions, and federal actions under President Trump and a Republican‑controlled Congress have made the law’s 2030 targets virtually impossible to meet without adjustments.
