Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - How much electricity does New York produce, and would a Canadian energy tariff impact Buffalo?
Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Michael Kracker says while some of Wester New York's electricity does come from Ontario, a lot of it is made domestically.
"A lot of our electricity comes from the Niagara power project, and Niagara Falls, but we do import a considerable amount of electricity from Ontario. I think what Donald Trump is saying, and rightfully so, is that, as the strongest nation on earth, the United States should be making manufacturing our electricity," said Kracker in an interview with WBEN.
However, State Senator and mayoral candidate for Buffalo, Sean Ryan says a 25% surcharge on Canadian electricity would have serious consequences for the region.
"Tariffs are going to be bad for Western New York. They're going to make our electricity bills go up. They're going to impact our auto economy, and they're going to impact our industrial economy. I hope we get a handle on this, because the worst thing that could happen to Western New York would be a trade war with Canada. We would be the loser," stated Ryan with WBEN. "Every Western New York business is going to be paying more for electricity. Every homeowner is going to see an increase in their bills. This is not a way to have foreign policy with our neighbor to the north, the largest unguarded border in the world. They're our largest trading partner."
Buffalo's Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon says a tariff war with Canada is going to do more than increase the price of electricity.
"We attract a lot of people in Buffalo, from Ontario, and a little bit further than that, on a regular basis, that contribute to our local economy. I don't think that this tariff war is going to help that at all. I think there's some bad blood building up, some animosity building up. I'd love to just see an end to come to it," said Scanlon with WBEN.
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