A state Senator from New York City is looking to penalize energy providers who don’t explore production alternatives.

State Sen. Liz Krueger, D-New York City, recently introduced Bill S.824, which she said, asks companies, whose products damage the climate, to pay for part of the damage. Krueger said the bill is designed to recoup some of the costs that are associated with destroying the climate in New York State.

State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, does not agree with the bill and said it’s an attempt by Krueger to ask companies to keep providing energy to the state, but fining companies when they deliver energy products.

“So you were essentially fining them for the way they are producing energy, and delivering to New York (state) right now,” Borrello noted.

He added that officials have continued to ask companies to deliver energy to the state because it is needed, but those companies are being fined when they deliver the energy.

“Their products are destroying the climate and costing us an enormous amount of money – billions of dollars a year – right here in New York that we, the taxpayers, are now picking up all of the tab for that damage,” Krueger said.

With S.824, Krueger added, the state is assessing specific companies a small share of the total expense. With the bill, she wants the state to do a better job at shifting to sustainable green energy sources, so state residents have better options.

“We’re also saying to all of the companies, and some are doing a better job, ‘change your business model. Sell us (NYS) energy that isn’t destroying the planet, (and) we’ll be interested in working with you,” Krueger added.

Borrello noted that companies are still delivering energy to the state, but there is no (green) alternative that would deliver enough energy to the state.

“So why would we not wait until there was an alternative before assessing a fine for the product that we are asking for them to deliver that we so crucially need to power this state,” Borrello said.

Krueger said the state does not ask companies to sell energy to it, the companies choose to sell energy to the state. And, she continued, that companies will choose not to sell to the state because their competitors will.

She added that it is the job of the state legislature to move as quickly as possible away from damage-causing products.

“We’re asking the companies that are still causing the damage, to help us pay some of the cost of that damage,” Krueger said.

Krueger noted paying a share of the damage is consistent with other state, and federal laws. The bill, she added, applies to producers of oil, gas, and coal.

The bill now will move to the State Assembly.