A Call for Reliable and Affordable Energy
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
A statewide bipartisan consensus is emerging among New Yorkers: natural gas must remain an essential, reliable, and affordable part of the state’s energy future. As New York pursues ambitious manufacturing, housing, economic development, and infrastructure goals, it will strain its power systems unless action is taken. Residents across party lines are voicing strong support for maintaining and investing in natural gas alongside renewable resources.
According to a recent poll, 84% of New Yorkers see natural gas as reliable, while 76% consider it affordable. Even among Democrats—who typically prioritize renewable energy—81% say natural gas is reliable with 72% finding it affordable. Comparable majorities of Republicans and Independents share that view, underscoring the rare unity of opinion across political divides on this issue. In total, 74% of respondents to the poll said investing in natural gas is essential, with 68% describing it as a “cleaner” energy source and 63% saying it provides better heating value than electricity.
When asked about top concerns, 42% of respondents said keeping energy affordable is their highest priority, while 39% identified reliability as their top concern. The message is clear: New Yorkers want dependable, cost-effective solutions, not ideological energy debates. The study also found strong support for a diverse mix of energy resources. Most respondents favor solar (82%), natural gas (79%), wind (75%), and hydroelectric power (73%) as key components of the state’s energy strategy. This suggests that voters don’t see natural gas and renewables as competitors—but rather as complementary tools for ensuring energy security and economic growth.
Support for infrastructure expansion was equally strong. 72% of those who answered the survey said new natural gas pipelines, such as the debated Northeast Supply Enhancement project, would benefit New York. Majorities cited critical reasons for backing such projects: maintaining affordability amid supply limits (87%), improving reliability during peak winter demand (87%), and boosting economic growth through new jobs and tax revenue (81%).
These findings align with MACNY’s support of an abundant energy approach and a needed focus on natural gas. The state Public Service Commission agreed, recently determining that the Northeast Supply Enhancement project is essential for reliability—a decision widely praised by business, labor, and community groups.
Our members want energy that strengthens our economy, keeps the lights on, and seeks lower rates. Energy reliability and affordability aren’t partisan issues but shared priorities that cut across political and geographic boundaries. Increasingly, New York’s leaders are working to balance an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy, amid mounting concerns about grid stress, surging electric demand, and constrained gas supply. This is true everywhere and can be even more crucial in the densely populated New York City and Long Island regions. These state-wide pressures have made reliability and affordability central issues for households and businesses alike.
At MACNY, we believe this is a decisive moment of alignment between public opinion, policy direction, and practical energy needs. Across parties, regions, and perspectives, New Yorkers overwhelmingly support a balanced energy future—one that blends innovation with reliability, and renewables with resilience. Our message to state leaders must be unmistakable: New York wants energy policy grounded in pragmatism, progress, and affordability for all. Energy abundance is how we achieve these policy goals.