Protesters Block Hochul’s Office To Fight Climate Law Rollback And Rising Energy Bills

NEW YORK, NY— More than 500 New Yorkers filled the Capitol Wednesday, blocking access to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office in protest of her plan to weaken the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The sit-in, aimed at preventing higher energy bills, resulted in more than 20 arrests.

Protesters carried signs reading “Utility bills are too damn high!” and “As Trump wages war on Iran, Hochul says YOU pay the bill!

In January 2026, New York electricity revenue climbed sharply across all sectors, totaling $3.055 billion, up 11.2 percent from January 2025, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.

Residential revenue rose 11.5 percent to $1.428 billion, while commercial revenue increased 10.2 percent to $1.409 billion.

Industrial customers contributed $166 million, a 9.9 percent rise.

Assemblymembers Emily Gallagher, Sarahana Shrestha, Steve Raga, Marcella Mitanes, and Claire Valdez joined the demonstration, along with state assembly candidates Maurice Brown and Sam Hodge, and comptroller candidate Raj Goyle.

The protesters said Hochul’s proposed budget amendments would delay critical pollution reduction requirements from 2024 to 2030, locking New Yorkers into expensive oil and gas while curbing clean energy adoption.

“The Governor’s backwards plan wouldn’t just create a climate crisis – it would worsen an affordability crisis for millions of New Yorkers who are just trying to keep the lights on,” Pete Sikora, climate & inequality campaigns director with New York Communities for Change, said.

Participants arrived by bus from New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and other communities.

In January 2026, New York electricity revenue climbed sharply across all sectors, totaling $3.055 billion, up 11.2 percent from January 2025.

Residential revenue rose 11.5 percent to $1.428 billion, while commercial revenue increased 10.2 percent to $1.409 billion.

Industrial customers contributed $166 million, a 9.9 percent rise.

They called on legislators to protect the climate law, which aims to lower energy costs, create clean energy jobs and cut pollution.

The protest drew support from more than 40 community and climate groups, including Citizen Action of New York, Climate Defenders, Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, NYPIRG, Third Act NYC and 350NYC.

The activists said Hochul’s proposed changes would exacerbate high energy costs already fueled by global oil and gas prices, while delaying New York’s transition to solar, wind, battery storage and energy efficiency.

The state budget is due April 1.