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NY State Senator Stec: NYSERDA Memo Should Mean the End of CLCPA

A memo produced by the New York state Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) regarding the exploding costs associated with the state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) outlines what those costs could be:

“Absent changes, by 2031, the impact of CLCPA on the price of gasoline could reach or exceed $2.23 per gallon on top of current prices at that time; the cost for an MMBtu of natural gas $16.96; and comparable increases to other fuels. Upstate oil and natural gas households would see costs in excess of $4,000 a year, and New York City natural gas households could anticipate annual gross costs of $2,300. Only a portion of these costs could be offset by current policy design.”

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) issued the following statement concerning the leaked NYSERDA memo outlining the exorbitant implementation costs of the CLCPA:

“The leaked memo from Governor Hochul’s handpicked head of NYSERDA is a bombshell and a scathing indictment of the CLCPA.

“Because of it, Upstate New Yorkers can expect their energy costs to rise an average of $4,000 per household and gas prices can rise to over $5 a gallon as a direct result of these green energy policies. These numbers, which come directly from NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, highlights the reality of what my Senate Republican Conference colleagues and I have been saying for years: The CLCPA is going to drive up costs and crush our families and small businesses.

“What’s even worse is that in a recent City & State article, Senate Democrats made it clear that they have no intentions of making any changes to the unaffordable and unfeasible CLCPA in the upcoming budget.

“At a time when, according to a recent Marist poll, one-in-three New Yorkers plan to move out of the state due to the escalating cost of living, perhaps my colleagues on the other side of the aisle should reconsider their position and put an end to the failing CLCPA mandates.”

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Town Board Year-End Meeting

Notice of Recessed Town Board Meeting

The Town Board meeting that recessed at its most recent session will reconvene on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Town Hall, to complete year-end matters and conduct any other business that may properly come before the Town Board. No agenda has been posted.

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Washington County 2026 Budget Approved

The Washington County Board of Supervisors, at their November 21, 2025 meeting, approved a 2026 budget that increases the property tax levy by 16.97% and cuts 22 jobs. (10 full-time and 12 part-time county jobs). This is a decrease in the number of jobs proposed to be eliminated under the tentative budget.

The board had previously voted to override the tax-cap for 2026.

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Proposed Washington County Budget to Increase Taxes 17%

Washington county released the tentative 2026 budget recently. It includes a tax levy increase of almost 17% while cutting approximately 65 county employees.

The Board of Supervisors voted to override the tax cap for 2026. Dresden’s Town Supervisor, Charles Tall, is our voice on the Board of Supervisors. Another budget workshop is scheduled for November 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. and the tentative budget goes to the County’s Finance Committee on November 13th at approximately 9:30 a.m.

If the budget moves out of committee, a resolution to adopt the budget would come before the full board at its November 21st meeting, with a majority of the board’s weighted vote needed to pass it. Dresden has a very low weighted vote because our population is very small. However, because Dresden taxes account for a large percentage of the county’s tax income, many Supervisors listen to our Supervisor’s opinion. Because of this, it is imperative that our Town Supervisor shows up at Board of Supervisor meetings and works diligently to make our voices heard.

The county has been hampered in recent years because the state of New York passes unfunded mandates along to its counties and the county taxes reflect that.

I am doing all I can.

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Preliminary Dresden Election Results

Vote Totals Excluding Absentee Ballots

I contacted the Washington County Board of Elections at 1:00 pm on November 5th and these are the unofficial results from yesterday’s townwide election for the those offices that were contested. At this time there are 12 absentee ballots that have not been counted. However, the county waits approximately one week to see how many absentee ballots were postmarked on or before November 4th.

Town Supervisor     Votes
Paul Ferguson* (Write-in)     124
Charles Tall     72
   
Town Board (2 winners)
Christine Diekel*     157
Marc Brown*     156
Suzanne Hudson Shad     65
   

   * Winner

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the candidates who gave the voters a choice.

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Washington County Remains Under Drought Watch


Washington county remains on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s drought watch list. Warren county is in the drought warning category.

A “watch” is the first of four levels of state drought advisories (“watch,” “warning,” “emergency” and “disaster”). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. Local public water suppliers may require conservation measures, depending upon local needs and conditions.

A “warning” is the second of four levels of State drought advisories. Under Drought Warning, voluntary water conservation is intensified, and public water supplies and industries are advised to update and implement local drought contingency plans. Local agencies make plans in case of emergency declaration.

As someone who has had a well run dry in a previous year – you don’t want this to happen to you. Also we don’t want a forest fire anywhere near Huletts – so please remember a dry well can’t be used to put out a fire.

To conserve water resources, DEC encourages everyone to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:

Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration;

Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants;

Raise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less water;

Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;

Fix leaking pipes, hoses, and faucets;

Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry;

Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly;

Install water saving plumbing fixtures;

Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold; and

Wash cars less frequently

Many of these help protect drain fields from overuse also, so please try to conserve water.

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DEC Forest Rangers in the News

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 10 at 11:50 a.m., Washington County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a dehydrated hiker near the summit of Buck Mountain. Rangers Carabetta and Clute reached the 31-year-old by 12:30 p.m., rehydrated the subject, and assisted them back to the trailhead where Fort Ann EMS evaluated the patient.

The DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce the risk of dehydration