Bruce Blakeman Outlines Energy Plan for New York

Bruce Blakeman, a candidate for Governor of New York, has stated he will cut electric bills in half on his first day in office. He detailed his plan during an appearance on the “Pod Force One” podcast, hosted by Miranda Devine.

Key Proposals: Lowering Costs and Increasing Supply

Cutting Bills on Day One

Blakeman asserts that approximately 70% of the average New York utility bill is attributable to taxes and delivery costs, not the energy itself. “I can cut your electric bill in half, day one, when I become governor,” Blakeman told Devine. He plans to achieve this by controlling regulatory authorities, reducing taxes, and lowering delivery costs.

Reinstating Fracking

A central component of Blakeman’s energy strategy is the resumption of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. He argues that New York possesses substantial natural gas reserves, comparable to Saudi Arabia, that remain untapped due to current policies. “We have right now one of the largest natural gas reserves in all the world…right here in New York state, and we’re not drilling,” he exclaimed.

Challenging Current Energy Policies

Blakeman’s vision sharply contrasts with that of current Governor Kathy Hochul, who is focused on expanding green energy and transitioning to an all-electric future. He criticizes Hochul’s policies for restricting supply and driving up demand, leading to higher energy prices.

Supply and Demand

Blakeman emphasized the economic principle of supply and demand, stating that restricting domestic energy production while increasing demand for electricity inevitably leads to higher costs. He believes flooding the market with domestic supply is the fastest way to lower bills for New Yorkers.

Addressing High Costs

According to data from the Empire Center and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, New York’s energy bills are currently 50% higher than the national average. Blakeman contends that increased domestic drilling would create jobs and alleviate this financial burden on residents. Long Island customers, for example, see 45% of their bill attributed to supply charges and 51% to delivery costs, with a small portion (6%) going towards taxes.