During a recent heatwave, Governor Kathy Hochul’s request for New Yorkers to voluntarily conserve electricity drew sharp criticism from Republican circles, with some national figures labeling her a communist. Hochul had tweeted on July 2nd, “New York’s electric grid is under heavy strain as this heat wave drives up energy demand. We’re asking New Yorkers to voluntarily conserve power by setting your A/C between 75–78°, avoiding unnecessary appliance use, and turning off lights and electronics when they’re not needed.”
The Republican National Committee responded by reposting her message, asserting, “New York Democrat communists are now trying to force Americans to lower their quality of life because of their failed policies.” This reaction appears to be linked to recent primary election successes for candidates backed by democratic socialist groups, which the GOP has portrayed as extremist.
To assess the claim, an examination of what constitutes communism and voluntary energy conservation practices was undertaken. A spokesperson for the RNC, Kristen Cianci, argued that Hochul and other New York Democrats are usurping individual choice and private ownership, handing it over to the government, which she equates to communism.
However, experts suggest that the voluntary nature of Hochul’s request contrasts with the methods typically employed by communist regimes. Brian D. Taylor, a political science professor at Syracuse University, noted that communist governments would generally use more forceful measures. He elaborated that in historical communist states like the Soviet Union, utilities were state-controlled, housing was allocated by the state, and individuals lacked control over their thermostats. He emphasized that these characteristics are absent in New York and the U.S.
Matthew Lenoe, a history professor at the University of Rochester, added that in a communist system, utilities would be government-owned, and energy would be rationed without individual choice, potentially leading to rolling blackouts. He contrasted this with New York’s energy grid, which involves both public and private ownership, and highlighted that Hochul’s appeal was a voluntary call for cooperation.
Voluntary energy conservation during extreme weather is a recurring recommendation from various governmental bodies and utility commissions across the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy has previously advised setting thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when home during warm weather, although some related web pages have since been removed. It is unclear when or why these changes occurred.
During President Trump’s administration in 2019, the Department of Energy reiterated that the 78-degree guideline was merely a suggestion, and individuals were free to set their thermostats as they pleased.
Furthermore, instances of Republican-led governments urging residents to conserve power have been documented. In Mississippi, the Department of Environmental Quality advises residents to set their thermostats as high as comfort allows, recommending 78 degrees. In Texas in 2015, then-Governor Greg Abbott suggested residents power down electronics to ease the strain on the electric grid. In February, during a severe cold spell in South Carolina, Republican Governor Henry McMaster advised residents to lower their thermostats, wear more clothing, and avoid running large appliances to reduce pressure on the state’s grid.
Even former Republican Governor George Pataki of New York, during the widespread blackouts in August 2003, advised CNN viewers to conserve energy if they had power, stating it would help restore power to affected areas more quickly.
In light of this information, the assertion that Governor Hochul’s voluntary conservation request equates to communism is unsubstantiated. Experts indicate that such voluntary appeals for cooperation do not align with the characteristics of communist systems, and conservation recommendations during extreme weather have been a consistent practice across various levels of government in the U.S., including those led by Republicans.
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