CHENANGO COUNTY – January and February are always among the coldest months of the year, but this year the period between January 28 and February 7 brought some of the coldest temperatures in recent history.

The frigid weather lead to an increased demand on the local power grid and area residents may experience sticker shock when looking at their utility bills. To combat the problem, Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R-Norwich) is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to do something about this issue by declaring an energy state of emergency.

In a letter to the Governor, Angelino joined with nine other members of the New York State Assembly to encourage Hochul to take action. Angelino joined with Assembly Members Chris Friend, Ari Brown, Andrea Bailey, Andrew Molitor, Robert Smullen, Joseph Sempolinski, Chris Tague, Michael Tannousis, and MaryBeth Walsh to address the governor regarding New York’s energy crisis.

“In each region across New York, residents are facing historic and unsustainable increases in electricity costs which is threatening household affordability, small business viability, and the overall competitiveness of our state economy,” the letter states. Angelino explained that the problem stems from a simple supply and demand issue. There is simply not enough energy being produced. “The governor recognizes the need for more energy production in New York State,” Angelino said.