State Climate Policy Raises Energy Bills

State decisions — banning fracking, blocking pipelines, shutting nuclear plants, and signing high‑priced offshore‑wind contracts — can raise local electricity costs even as they pursue decarbonization. New York’s experience (2014 fracking ban; 2021 Indian Point closure; an offshore‑wind contract charging about $160/MWh) shows this tradeoff in practice and the fiscal effect on residents and businesses. — Recognizing that subnational climate choices can increase local energy costs reframes debates about who is responsible for affordability and how to design climate policy that preserves both decarbonization and economic viability.