State Senator Pam Helming is raising the alarm about New York’s strained electric grid, saying it’s directly threatening housing development, including more than 650 new homes in Ontario County.
In a recent statement, Helming said these are the types of “attainable” homes that working families, seniors, and first-time buyers can afford. But due to a lack of available power, many of these projects are either stalled or at risk of being canceled altogether.
“The electric capacity simply doesn’t exist,” Helming said. “And the estimated cost to bring in the necessary infrastructure for just one Ontario County project is between $10 and $25 million, making these homes unaffordable.”
Helming pointed to recent reports from the New York Independent System Operator and the State Comptroller that warn of growing grid capacity issues and the financial strain of climate-related energy mandates. She criticized the state’s push for all-electric requirements, such as electric school buses and fully electric homes, arguing they are driving up costs and putting basic grid reliability, public safety, and housing development at risk.
She also noted that utility companies are proposing rate hikes at a time when many New Yorkers are already struggling with high energy bills.
“Affordable and reliable power isn’t optional, it’s essential,” Helming said. She called for a pause on new green mandates, short-term investments in grid upgrades, and a long-term expansion of the state’s nuclear energy program.
Helming says she will continue working with local leaders, developers, and utility companies to address the power shortfall and ensure housing remains accessible across Ontario County and New York State.
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