2026-11-07 · contested story
Hochul, Blakeman spar over energy costs in sole 2026 NY governor debate
In New York's only 2026 gubernatorial debate, incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, clashed sharply over soaring energy costs as affordability dominated the race. Hochul defended an 'all of the above' strategy combining renewables, nuclear expansion, and $1 billion in rebate checks, while blaming President Trump and the Iran war for price spikes. Blakeman attacked clean-energy mandates as a 'slush fund' for 'science projects,' pledged to bring back fracking of the Marcellus Shale, reopen the Indian Point nuclear plant, and cut utility bills in half. Average residential electricity bills rose 10 percent from 2024 to 2025, giving the state the eighth-highest (per Inside Climate News) or third-highest (per the New York Post) residential prices in the country. Hochul ultimately won the November 3 election 60.1% to 39.7% (NBC News).
How each side frames it
left
"A 2025 Public Service Commission report found that measures mandated by New York's Climate Act made up between 5 and 9.5 percent of a typical monthly residential electric bill in 2024."
"Blakeman blamed the state's high utility bills in part on clean energy programs, calling them a "slush fund" for "science projects," such as offshore wind farms and solar panels that he claimed were "ruining agriculture.""
"Wind and solar projects, paired with battery storage, can typically be built at cheaper costs than fossil fuel infrastructure, potentially helping to meet rising electricity demand while supporting the state's climate goals."
"Gov. Kathy Hochul battled members of her own party and environmental groups to weaken the state's landmark climate law this year, arguing the changes were needed to prevent higher utility bills."
"citing price increases for renewable energy projects that the administration blames on Trump."
center
"Energy policy is complicated, and the two have punched and counter punched. Hochul says President Trump's opposition to wind power has hurt the state. Blakeman says her opposition to fracking is particularly to blame."
""We're sitting on one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world here in New York state. Yet, Kathy Hochul won't let us extract that natural gas," Blakeman said."
"With older power plants closing faster than the state builds new fuel sources, perhaps the topic of residential utility bills—some of the nation's highest—ignited the hottest exchanges of the night."
"Even non-partisan experts like the state's grid operator have warned that New York's grid could face dangerous reliability issues if more supply isn't brought online, as natural gas plants are phased out."
""I would extract the natural gas from the Marcellus Shale," he said... "We'll get rid of that green energy scam.""
right
"Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman drilled Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday — saying green energy policies were "bankrupting" New Yorkers."
""Natural gas is the cheapest effective way that people can heat their homes or generate electricity, and we're not being allowed to do that," Pataki said."
"Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released her fiscal year 2025 budget which included provisions to further curb the state's reliance on natural gas as part of her administration's climate agenda."
""We should have an 'All of the above' attitude for energy. People are really suffering," Blakeman said. "People are telling me wherever I go how expensive their utility bills are.""
"In upstate New York the increases have been even worse — with NYSEG customers seeing their bills soar 46% from 2021 to 2025."
What each side left out
The left left out — covered by the ABC News 10 Vermont & New York Post
- Blakeman's specific percentage claims that taxes/delivery fees/renewable charges make up 70% of a monthly bill
- the grid operator's reliability warning about phasing out gas plants
The left left out — covered by the Yahoo/Fox News Digital
- Blakeman's farmland/agriculture grievance detailed by affected landowners
The right left out — covered by the Inside Climate News
- PSC data showing climate mandates are only 5-9.5% of monthly bills
- that wind/solar plus storage can be cheaper than fossil infrastructure
The right left out — covered by the New York Post & CBS News
- that the fracking ban was codified in 2021 making reversal legally difficult
- Trump/Iran war as contributors to higher prices
The center left out — covered by the Politico
- the irony that Hochul's own cost-warning memo was turned against her during budget talks
What's actually true?
[verified] Average residential electricity bills in New York rose 10 percent from 2024 to 2025, outpacing the national average.
[verified] Measures mandated by New York's Climate Act made up between 5 and 9.5 percent of a typical monthly residential electric bill in 2024.
[verified] Fracking was banned statewide in New York, with the ban codified in 2021, making it difficult for a new governor to revive.
[contested] ConEd bills in New York City climbed 27% between 2021 and 2025, and upstate NYSEG customers saw bills soar 46% over the same period.
[verified] New York's grid operator (NYISO/Independent System Operator) warned the grid could face reliability issues if more supply isn't brought online as natural gas plants are phased out.
[verified] Hochul sent energy rebate checks of up to $200 to 8.2 million households, totaling about $1 billion, to offset rising costs.
[verified] Kathy Hochul defeated Bruce Blakeman in the November 3, 2026 election by roughly 60.1% to 39.7%.
[verified] The All-Electric Buildings Act of 2023 bans the use of fossil fuels for heating, hot water and cooking in all new construction in New York.
The narrative clash
What share of electric bills is driven by climate/clean energy mandates
Left: measures mandated by New York's Climate Act made up between 5 and 9.5 percent of a typical monthly residential electric bill in 2024
Right: He said taxes, delivery fees, and charges for offshore wind and solar farms make up 70% of a monthly utility bill
Whether natural gas or electric heating is cheaper for New Yorkers
Left: Wind and solar projects, paired with battery storage, can typically be built at cheaper costs than fossil fuel infrastructure
Right: natural gas could slash heating costs during the winter, dropping average New York prices to about $131 per month from October to March. Electric heating — which most of the state depends on — would cost about $550 per month
Primary cause of rising New York energy costs
Left: pointed to blaming President Trump and the war in Iran for burdensome utility bills... 'what would be a lot better to driving down energy costs in New York? It's stopping the war with Iran.'
Right: Blakeman squarely blames Hochul and other Albany Democrats for residential electricity rates that have risen by as much as 50% during her tenure
Cause: how much climate policy actually drives the bills
Left: Climate Act mandates are a small, measurable share of a monthly bill — roughly 5 to 9.5 percent — so they can't explain most of the increase.
Right: Green energy policy is the engine of the price spike and is financially ruining ratepayers.
Reliability: can renewables cover demand as gas plants retire
Left: Wind and solar with storage are the cheaper build and can meet rising demand without fossil capacity.
Right: The state's own grid operator says retiring gas without new supply risks dangerous reliability failures.
96 sources analyzed
Common Dreams Inside Climate News CBS News New York Post Fox News The Damage Report Los Angeles Times E&E News Just The News The Daily Signal The Boston Globe The Washington Post ABC News 10 Vermont Boston Herald Fox News MSNBC PBS NewsHour Yahoo! Search New York Post Fox News The Boston Globe Los Angeles Times New York Post Fox News The Boston Globe Politico Investor's Business Daily National Review MSNBC NBC News Richmond Times-Dispatch The Daily Signal Mother Jones The New York Times Reason The Daily Signal Common Dreams NPR The Center Square The Daily Signal The Daily Beast NBC News Just The News The Spectator World Mother Jones PBS NewsHour New York Post National Review The Daily Beast CNN Investor's Business Daily National Review Common Dreams Los Angeles Times Boston Herald National Review The Boston Globe USA Today The Center Square The Daily Beast PBS NewsHour Reason The Daily Beast NPR Reason The New Republic NBC News Just The News Common Dreams NBC News Just The News The New Republic The Washington Post Reason MSNBC USA Today Richmond Times-Dispatch USA Today Richmond Times-Dispatch Los Angeles Times Boston Herald NPR Boston Herald CNN Investor's Business Daily USA Today The Center Square CNN The Dispatch NPR Richmond Times-Dispatch The Washington Post The Dispatch CNN Investor's Business Daily The Washington Post