PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – As the United States and Canada plunged deeper into a trade war this week, it’s raising concerns about just how much the region depends on Canadian electricity.
“Their sense of aggravation, their sense of outrage frankly, is at an all-time high,” said Chris Kirkey, director of the Center for the Study of Canada at SUNY Plattsburgh.
North Country Democratic Assemblyman Michael Cashman is among New York state lawmakers concerned about what tariff tensions mean for not only goods, but critical resources like electricity. “That escalation will get us into areas we have not been before, and energy is certainly an area we should be concerned about,” Cashman said.
According to New England’s Independent System Operator, which covers six states, including Vermont, about 7% of total energy in 2025 is imports. Of that, Canada makes up around 46%. So, about 3% of New England’s imported energy comes from Canada.
A spokesperson tells Channel 3 that if Canada does cut or reduce energy exports, “we would expect the impact to largely be financial, in the form of higher wholesale market prices.”
In New York, data from the state’s system operator shows around 22 percent of electric imports are from Canada.
The heightened rhetoric comes just months after the Champlain Hudson Power Express project finished up. The $6 billion, 339-mile line passes from Quebec to New York City through Lake Champlain. It provides about a fifth of New York City’s power.
Utility officials say they’ve been in contact with their Canadian partners and expect to still meet energy demand despite concerns. Customers might just have to pay more for it.
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