A recent meeting in Canandaigua brought together Senator Pam Helming, the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce, Ontario County Economic Development, and local housing developers to address ongoing concerns about electrical grid capacity in the region. The participants warned that outdated and undersized electrical infrastructure is stalling new housing projects across the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York.
One highlighted case involves a planned 650-unit housing development in Canandaigua intended for essential workers. The project now faces an estimated $20–25 million cost just to connect to the electric grid. Despite this investment, nearby parcels would still lack adequate power for future residential or commercial growth.
Similar challenges are reported throughout the area, where communities ready to build face delays due to limited power supply. These issues contribute to worsening housing shortages as shovel-ready sites remain unused.
“This is what happens when state mandates outpace reality,” said Senator Helming, who represents the 54th New York State Senate District. “The CLCPA forced reliable power producers offline before replacement capacity was in place. Now, utilities are warning municipalities the grid is full. We can’t build housing if we can’t power it, and we can’t keep families here when the infrastructure they depend on is falling apart.”
Tracey Dello Stritto, President of the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce, stated: “Housing is an essential part of sustaining a strong workforce, a thriving business community, and vibrant neighborhoods. Continued economic growth depends on having both the housing and modern infrastructure to support it. We remain committed to working collaboratively with business leaders, developers, and government partners to ensure Ontario County continues to be a place where people want to live, work, and invest.”
Ryan Davis, Director of Ontario County Economic Development, noted: “The biggest issue facing economic development in Ontario County and across the region has been the lack of available housing. The number one concern for both current and prospective employers working with my department has been, where will we get the people? Because of this, Ontario County has taken the lead with nearly 25% of the pro-housing communities within the Finger Lakes. Despite this hard work, our communities are now faced with the harsh reality that they may not be able to realize the growth that they have prepared for because of years of neglect from the utilities and NYS energy goals that we are not prepared to achieve.”
Senator Helming called for immediate action: “New York’s housing crisis is urgent, and delays caused by inadequate energy infrastructure will only make it worse. If we want nurses, welders, EMTs, teachers, and young families to live and work here, we must give them both a home and the power to keep it running. That starts with an immediate pause on the CLCPA and all-electric building mandates until grid capacity meets demand, and with significant state investment to modernize our energy infrastructure now.”
Senator Helming serves residents in all of Ontario, Wayne, Livingston counties as well as parts of Monroe County.
