Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Policy Local Choice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Legislature adopts emergency resolution backing local choice on home energy amid CLCPA debate
Summary
The Chautauqua County Legislature adopted an emergency resolution supporting local choice over home energy installations and criticizing aspects of state climate policy language; the measure was debated before passing 15–3 with one member absent.
The Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday adopted an emergency resolution — brought to the floor and passed the same night — that, according to debate on the chamber floor, urges preservation of local choices about energy service in new homes and takes issue with language concerning natural gas in state policy.
The emergency resolution was placed on the floor after a motion to bring it forward passed 16–2 with one member absent. During floor debate several legislators spoke both for and against the measure.
Legislator Jonathan R. Nelson said he could not support the resolution and disputed language in it that described natural gas as "clean burning." “I don't agree with the statement in the resolution that says natural gas is clean burning,” Nelson said, adding he supports the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Other legislators framed the measure as defending customer choice for home builders. Legislator Bob Bankoskie said prospective homeowners should be able to choose gas or electric service when building: “If they want to be hooked up to electric or gas I don't think that we should dictate to them what they should have to do,” he said. Legislator Scudder said he backed the resolution’s substance but questioned its legal force: “My struggle tonight is...it's a resolution to me that looks like a motion. I'm not sure how much clout we really have by passing something like this,” he said, and added he would vote against the procedural question but supported the principle.
Legislator Larson likewise described the item as a motion disguised as a resolution and said he would vote against it on that basis.
Final action: The roll call on the resolution recorded 15 yes votes, 3 no votes and 1 member absent; the chairman declared the resolution adopted.
What it does and what it does not
- The transcript records debate and adoption but does not include the resolution's full text beyond the topics discussed; the article does not attribute assertions to the resolution that do not appear verbatim in the transcript. - Legislators debated both the merits of promoting local choice for new home energy systems and the broader state climate policy known as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which was referenced in the discussion.
Context
The measure arrived as an emergency resolution, which the legislature can bring to the floor immediately if a majority agrees. Supporters described it as defending builders' and homeowners’ ability to select gas, electric or other energy sources; opponents said the item looked more like an advisory motion and raised concerns about its claims about emissions and public-health benefits.
Ending
The measure passed at the Sept. 24 meeting. The transcript does not show the resolution’s next steps (for example, whether it will be transmitted to state officials); the adopted text is not included in the meeting record excerpt provided.
