Langworthy Addresses Energy Policy in November Telephone Town Hall

In his November telephone town hall, Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23), representing Western New York and the Southern Tier, focused extensively on energy issues. With approximately 7,000 participants on the call, Langworthy opened by discussing New York State’s – Governor Hochul’s – All-Electric Buildings Act (AEBA) signed into law in 2023 and Langworthy’s response to it, his Energy Choice Act, H.R. 3699, now wending its way through Congress.

Langworthy was vocal in his criticism of Democratic Gov. Hochul’s All-Electric Buildings Act. It mandates that most new construction be all-electric, banning fossil fuel systems like natural gas for heating and cooking to meet climate goals. The law phases in: smaller buildings (seven stories or less) must comply starting with building permits issued on or after January 1, 2026 (effectively December 31, 2025 threshold), with larger buildings (over seven stories or large commercial) by January 1, 2029. It promotes heat pumps and aims to reduce emissions, improve public health, and create jobs.

Langworthy highlighted his Energy Choice Act as a measure to thwart the AEBA. According to Langworthy, his Energy Choice Act, “…would essentially work to block Governor Hochul’s natural gas ban. It prohibits states or local governments from banning certain types of energy. And it thereby protects your access to affordable and reliable natural gas, propane, fuel oil, however you choose to heat your home.“

He claims the AEBA is “an illogical, dangerous infringement on your rights, your pocketbooks, and your safety.”

All Electric Building Act Upheld in Court

Rather than “political theater” from Gov. Hochul, the delay in implementing the AEBA stems from a legal challenge by the natural gas industry and its allies, including Mulhern Gas Company, the New York State Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders, the New York Propane Gas Association, and the National Propane Gas Association. In July, a federal district court upheld the AEBA, but New York State postponed implementing the law pending a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals.

On the status of the AEBA, Langworthy said, “And so what she’s [Gov. Hochul] done is a little political theater of her own. She’s using a court case as cover to buy time on this law taking effect until after Election Day of 2026. So, she’s put it on pause.“

(NB: with the withdrawal of Rep. Stefanik from the 2026 NYS Governor’s race, the Cook Political Report has moved this NYS Governor’s race from “leaning Democrat” to “solid Democrat.” It doesn’t appear that Gov. Hochul needs any “cover.”)

Langworthy expressed his intent to advance his Energy Choice Act swiftly. “I’m more determined than ever to make the Energy Choice Act law before she [Gov. Hochul] gets the chance to reinstitute that ban on natural gas and propane. We’ve cleared this first hurdle, and next week, after Thanksgiving, it will be taken up by the entire Energy and Commerce Committee. And I’m optimistic that it will pass out of that committee and then move on to the full House, so we could get it across the floor for a vote.”

Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, on which he serves, in late November, and it was reported out of the full House Energy and Commerce Committee in December, where he’s also a member, via a roll call vote of 24 yeas to 21 nays, along party lines. The bill now awaits a vote on the House floor.

A companion measure to the “Energy Choice Act” in the Senate, S.1945, was introduced by Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV). That bill is currently under consideration in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (NB: Sen. Justice inherited a family business empire centered on coal operations, though coal is not directly affected by the AEBA).

Langworthy “…Not a Proponent of Wholesale Solar or Wind”

During his telephone town hall Langworthy noted presciently, “…And I’m sure we’ll talk a little bit more about this tonight [during the telephone town hall].” And, unsurprisingly, he did.

“Timothy from Hamburg” raised concerns about New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and its authority to override local input in approving solar and wind projects.

Langworthy stated, “I am personally not a proponent of wholesale solar or wind. I believe in local control. If your local governance, meaning the town or city, they want a bunch of windmills, they have to stand in front of the voters and publicly acknowledge that, is my personal philosophy.“

Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act treats energy policy for fossil fuels such as natural gas and propane differently from that for renewables like wind and solar. The Energy Choice Act establishes federal authority over natural gas and other fossil fuels. It prohibits states and localities from banning or restricting energy services solely based on the energy source. It supersedes state or local policies that might limit fossil fuel infrastructure, even when they’ve been adopted through democratic processes. Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act overrides local decisions that might prioritize electrification or impose bans on gas hookups.

Langworthy’s position – local control of wind and solar, federal control of natural gas – reflects his longstanding advocacy for fossil fuels and his denigration of renewables. Langworthy opposed specific offshore wind developments in Lake Erie, calling them “scams.” He’s criticized New York State for “overreach” in promoting green energy initiatives.

Regarding wind and solar, Langworthy supports mechanisms that allow communities to veto projects and require local officials to justify approvals to voters. “I think that there needs to be far more scrutiny. There should be local tough zoning.”

However, the Energy Choice Act would prevent states or localities from enacting similar restrictions – local tough zoning – on natural gas or propane. Langworthy hasn’t said anything about when localities might ban or restrict natural gas infrastructure. He’s silent on extending accountability to those decisions.

Republican energy policy, reflected by Langworthy, allows local veto powers – extra hoops to jump through – over energy developments, particularly in rural areas concerned about land use, visual impacts, or economic viability, while federal measures safeguard fossil fuel access even against state-imposed mandates.

Langworthy = “local tough zoning” of wind and solar
Langworthy = federal control of fossil fuels like natural gas

Fossil Fuel Producers Support Langworthy’s Campaign

As chair of the New York Republican State Committee from 2019 to 2022, Langworthy maintained close ties with fossil fuel producers in the Southern Tier. He advocated lifting New York’s ban on fracking and supported policies to expand natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale formation.

Langworthy collaborated with organizations such as the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York (IOGA), arguing that New York State regulations hinder rural economic growth. He emphasized the benefits of gas production for Southern Tier communities, including job creation and revenue generation.

These “ties” extended into his 2022 congressional campaign for NY-23, a district encompassing the Southern Tier. Campaign finance records from OpenSecrets and the Federal Election Commission indicate that Langworthy received approximately:

• $27,900 total from the oil & gas sector (2021-2022 cycle)
• $10,000 from National Fuel Gas Company
• $5,000 from the National Propane Gas Association PAC
• Additional funds from energy-related political action committees associated with entities like Koch Industries and Marathon Petroleum

Langworthy: Oil and Gas = OK; Leases for Wind and Solar = “Abuse” of “Impoverished Rural Areas”

Langworthy advocates that local governments should have the authority to approve or reject wind and solar projects. He describes state mandates that override local authority as “abuse” that disproportionately affects “impoverished rural areas.”

For rural economies and landowners, such as farmers, Langworthy’s positions affect how much money they can receive. Langworthy wants federal, not state, control over gas wells on farmland. Langworthy doesn’t favor renewable energy like wind or solar, even if they might offer higher financial returns. And Langworthy favors rigorous local control and regulatory requirements. As Langworthy said during his November telephone town hall, “I am personally not a proponent of wholesale solar or wind.”

Some surprising developments on Langworthy’s energy policy and a really surprising New York State response in the next blog post.

For more on Rep. Langworthy’s background and positions, visit https://westernnypolitics.com/who-is-nick-langworthy/.