Statement from Campground Owners of New York
Regarding NYSERDA’s Recent Memo on the Costs Associated with New York’s Climate Law
The information outlined in NYSERDA’s February 26 memo confirms what many small business owners and households across New York State have been experiencing for months: energy costs are rising rapidly, and the costs associated with CLCPA implementation will fall heavily on ratepayers - including small, independent and family-owned businesses.
Independent campgrounds operate on narrow seasonal margins. They power guest sites, bathhouses, water systems, septic infrastructure, camp stores, and recreational facilities almost entirely through electricity. Even modest increases in rates translate into tens of thousands of dollars in additional annual operating costs for some parks. Unlike large corporations, our members cannot easily absorb these increases, nor can they simply pass them along to customers without risking reduced occupancy and lost tourism dollars.
Campgrounds are not just small businesses. They are anchors of local tourism economies, especially in rural and upstate communities. They drive visitor spending at local restaurants, marinas, attractions, and retail establishments, along with public parks and attractions. They create seasonal and year-round jobs. They generate local tax revenue. When a campground closes, the economic loss extends far beyond its office doors.
CONY supports responsible environmental stewardship and understands the importance of long-term energy planning. However, the pace and cumulative cost impacts reflected in NYSERDA’s memo raise serious concerns about affordability and sustainability for small businesses and families alike. We are calling on the New York State Legislature and Governor Hochul to carefully review the economic implications outlined in NYSERDA’s memo and work together to roll back or modify provisions of the CLCPA that disproportionately burden small businesses. At a minimum, safeguards must be implemented to prevent severe rate shock and to ensure realistic timelines and meaningful relief for small commercial ratepayers.
New York’s independent campground owners and operators are resilient and hardworking entrepreneurs who have weathered economic downturns, pandemic disruptions, labor shortages, and supply chain challenges. What they cannot withstand are unchecked, compounding increases in the cost of energy without thoughtful policy adjustments. The NYSERDA memo should serve as a serious warning signal. If projected cost increases and implementation timelines remain unchanged, more small businesses will be forced to reduce operations or close entirely.
CONY remains committed to engaging constructively with state leaders to ensure that environmental goals are balanced with economic reality. The future of many small businesses, and the communities that rely on them, depends on it.
