‘All of the Above’ Energy Needed to Keep Brooklyn Thriving

Here in New York, I hear the same concerns over and over again: families are struggling with rising costs, seniors are worried about blackouts, and young people want to know if New York is serious about tackling climate change. The truth is we must do all three—protect wallets, keep the lights on, and fight for a cleaner future.

This summer, our state’s grid operator issued energy watches for the first time ever, warning we were dangerously close to running out of power. That reality hit home. For working families and seniors on fixed incomes, a blackout or a sharp spike in bills is not just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis.

I visited the New York Independent System Operator myself to see what we’re up against. Their message was clear: New York’s ambitious clean energy goals are essential, but we cannot meet them overnight. We need a reliable bridge to get us there.

That’s why I support an “all of the above” energy approach. We should keep building solar fields, wind farms, and battery storage. We should invest in new nuclear technologies and efficiency upgrades. But we also need natural gas in the short term to maintain reliability and affordability.

The Northeast Energy Supply Enhancement (NESE) project is part of this conversation. It’s not perfect—and we must hold developers accountable to environmental standards—but it can help deliver reliable, affordable energy while we keep scaling renewables. This is not about choosing between clean energy and reliability; it’s about balancing both.

I am proud of my perfect scores from the New York League of Conservation Voters and my record of pushing forward environmental legislation. I drive an electric vehicle. I support offshore wind, solar, and building electrification. But I will not ignore the current risks to families in Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

New York deserves an energy policy that is both bold and pragmatic. By being honest about our challenges and courageous in our solutions, we can build an energy system that protects our families today while preparing for a cleaner, stronger tomorrow.

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham represents New York’s 43rd Assembly District.