Congressman Nick Langworthy speaks Friday at P.P.P. Future Development, 100 E. Chautauqua Ave., in Mayville. Looking on is John Healy of the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier. P-J file photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – The Lakewood Village Board of Trustees supports U.S Rep Nick Langworthy’s proposed Energy Choice Act.

At a recent meeting, trustees unanimously approved a measure to support the act which opposes government-mandated natural gas bans.

Langworthy spoke Sept. 5 in Mayville, at P.P.P. Future Development, 100 E. Chautauqua Ave., to stress how important his proposed Energy Choice Act is for consumers and businesses.

The congressman said that New York State government policies affect residents’ energy costs and reliability.

“Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, it will be illegal to build a new home or any commercial construction under seven stories with a natural gas or propane hookup,” Langworthy said on Sept. 5.

He added that renters and homeowners are already seeing increases in their utility bills. Langworthy said because of the energy policies coming from Albany, the state is in the midst of an energy nightmare.

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, Langworthy said, has waged a crusade against natural gas that is increasing home energy costs, and crippling the energy supply, and Langworthy wants to ban “the ban on propane and natural gas” in New York state.

“Now (state) Governor (Kathy) Hochul and the Democrats that control our state legislature woke up one morning and decided arbitrarily, that they were going to declare war on natural gas and propane in our state,” Langworthy said on Sept. 5.

The proposed legislation, Langworthy said, will prohibit states or local governments from banning an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. Langworthy, who serves as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and as a member of the Energy and Environment subcommittees, has made protecting Americans’ energy choices a top priority.

The lawmaker said that the ban is an assault on state residents and businesses freedom, and pocketbooks, but most importantly he stressed, “on our safety.