ADVOCATES, LAWMAKERS URGE ASSEMBLY TO INCLUDE NY HEAT IN FINAL BUDGET AS ENERGY BILLS SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL

ALBANY, NY (03/19/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, as frustration mounts over Albany's failure to lower energy bills and stop continued rate hikes slamming families across the state, hundreds of New Yorkers rallied with lawmakers at the Capitol to demand the Assembly fight to include the NY HEAT Act in the final budget. Last week, the Senate continued to lead by putting struggling families first and including the full bill in their budget proposal - now the Assembly must follow their lead and prioritize struggling families too. The NY HEAT Act is the clear solution to lowering energy bills, curbing future rate hikes, and saving the 1 in 4 families who already can't afford their energy bills an average of $136 every single month.

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"New Yorkers expect state lawmakers to address the affordability crisis and lower their bills. The NY HEAT Act would stop utility companies from continuing to squeeze everyday families' wallets, protect us from future price hikes, and actually lower bills for those who need it. The Senate recognized the need to put families first and included the bill in their budget - but for the third year in a row, the Assembly is once again failing to get it done despite broad support across the chamber. We need more than just passive support. We need our Assembly Members to stop holding up relief and finally deliver by passing the NY HEAT Act in the final budget," said Lisa Marshall, Advocacy and Organizing Director New Yorkers for Clean Power, a member organization of the Renewable Heat Now coalition.

As of September 2024, approximately 1 in 7 households in New York was two months or more behind on their energy bills. This crisis is impacting more than 1.2 million families, who are collectively in debt more than $1.3 billion dollars to utilities. According to a recent report from AGREE, since 2022, every major gas utility in New York State has raised the cost of energy for their customers:

• For Con Edison customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by nearly $50 since 2022 - from $205 to $253.
• For National Grid customers in NYC, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by more than $60 between 2023 and 2026 - from $110 to $172. For National Grid customers in Long Island, the average monthly cost of gas heating will increase by nearly the same amount - from $105 to $165.
• For Central Hudson customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased more than $20 since 2022- from $138 to $157.
• For National Fuel Gas customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by nearly $15 - from $81 to $94 - since just 2023.

The NY HEAT Act would put an end to the outdated, expensive gas system accelerating the effects of climate change - and stop utilities from charging everyday New Yorkers more to foot the bill for new pipes and pipelines - even while the cost of gas decreases and when there are cleaner and cheaper alternatives available.

"NY HEAT will save ratepayers billions of dollars every year while making significant progress toward our climate goals at a time when our progress is under attack by the Climate Denier-in-Chief. The status quo of our utility gas system is expensive, old, leaky, cold, and dangerous. Repairing and replacing the system, not to mention expanding it, is driving rate increases around the state. NY HEAT will save ratepayers money while providing modern heating, cooling, and cooking options that work better and don't endanger the health and safety of New York families," said Senate sponsor Liz Krueger.

"New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis, and skyrocketing energy bills are making it even harder for families to make ends meet. ConEd is trying to squeeze even more out of struggling families with yet another rate hike-charging more for the same outdated, unreliable service. The NY HEAT Act is a modern solution that will lower costs, curb the use of fossil fuels, and move us toward a more sustainable future. New Yorkers shouldn't have to bankroll a broken system when better, less expensive alternatives exist. It's time to pass the NY HEAT Act and put people before corporate profits," said Assembly sponsor Jo Anne Simon.

"Across New York State, utility bills have become unaffordable for too many families. But these price hikes don't hit everyone equally," said Senator Lea Webb. "For many of my constituents, it's not just about paying a bill - it's about keeping the lights on, food on the table, and businesses open. The NY Heat Act is a crucial step toward addressing these inequities. This legislation will ensure cleaner energy, lower utility bills, and more affordable options for all New Yorkers."

"New Yorkers everywhere are struggling to keep up with their bills, and utility companies are only making it harder by continuing to raise prices for the same heat. We need to act to stabilize energy prices and give New Yorkers some relief. The NY HEAT Act would lower bills for the families who need it most, and save most households in Senate District 30 $135 every single month! It's time we finally get this bill done and make life more affordable for our constituents - it's time to pass the NY HEAT Act," said Senator Cordell Cleare.

"Every New Yorker deserves a home that's warm in the winter, cool in the summer - and affordable all year long. This legislation is about cutting costs, ending wasteful subsidies, and making sure families aren't stuck paying for outdated gas infrastructure. This is the kind of smart, forward-thinking policy that protects our people, our planet, and our pocketbooks - and it's time to get it done," said Senator Nathalia Fernandez.

"Energy costs are soaring, leaving New Yorkers struggling to keep up with rising utility bills, and forcing impossible choices between staying warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and other essential needs. The NY Heat Act will help protect our communities from rising costs by capping utility bills for families who need it most while simultaneously putting New York on a greener path toward a more sustainable future," said State Senator John Liu.

"At a time when everyday New Yorkers are already struggling with skyrocketing costs of living in our city, Con Edison shamelessly attempts to add fuel to the fire with their proposed rate hikes. The NY HEAT Act represents the best of both worlds and offers the ideal solution: lower utility costs for struggling working and middle-class New York families, and clean energy measures that are better for the environment and for our health and well-being," said Assemblymember George Alvarez.

"The NY HEAT Act is a critical step toward lowering utility costs for working families while ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for all New Yorkers. My constituent's energy bills keep increasing without any end in sight. We must put an end to outdated policies that lock us into expensive and polluting fossil fuel infrastructure," said Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia.

"At a time when more than 1 in 7 New Yorkers are behind on their energy bills, we cannot let exorbitant prices continue to rise. The NY HEAT Act, which I am proud to co-sponsor, will create a new path forward by capping low-to-middle-income New York residents' energy costs at 6% of their total income while also phasing out natural gas infrastructure," said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

"I am proud to stand by colleagues and advocates to call for increased renewable energy sources in our state. NY HEAT ACT is common sense legislation that will make New York a cleaner, more climate-resilient state, all while saving taxpayers money by no longer having to pay for repairing old, outdated gas lines. This bill will establish New York State as a pioneer of renewable energy sources and provide a framework for other states to follow," said Assemblymember Chris Burdick.

"This is a which-side-are-you-on moment. Albany can fight for New Yorkers, or it can kick the can down the road and do the bidding of gas utilities," said Assemblymember Claire Valdez. "New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis while utilities keep jacking up costs to prop up outdated fossil fuel infrastructure. The NY Heat Act would provide relief for working families by capping rates and help bring New York in line with our legally mandated emissions targets. We must pass it this session."

"The NY HEAT Act is a powerful tool allowing New York to fight the climate crisis and address the cost of living for working class New Yorkers," said Assemblymember Tony Simone. "ConEd is seeking another unsustainable price hike to maintain our state's obsolete and unnecessarily expensive gas pipelines. With this act, we will be able to expedite our state's transition off expensive, fracked natural gas, lower the cost of living for New Yorkers, and modernize how we heat our homes."

"Some energy and environmental bills ask us to choose between lowering prices and protecting the environment," said Assemblymember Alex Bores. "The NY HEAT Act is the rare win/win; it protects our environment and lowers costs by eliminating the incentive for fossil fuel companies to unnecessarily replace and expand gas pipelines. We know we need to move away from fossil fuels to save our planet, so ratepayers should not be on the hook for infrastructure that will soon sit dormant. With this bill, we reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner, cheaper future and tell utility companies that they too are bound by our emissions targets."

"New Yorkers deserve an energy system that is affordable, equitable, and sustainable. The NY Heat Act is a crucial step toward ensuring that low and moderate income households are not burdened with costly utility bills while also paving the way for a cleaner future. I stand with my colleagues and advocates in calling for its inclusion in the final budget to finally invest in a just energy transition for all," said Assemblymember Steven Raga.

"Every week, I hear from constituents who already cannot afford their energy bills-and that is before the rate hikes ConEd is planning. The New York HEAT Act would show New Yorkers that we are serious about making life more affordable for working people, and it would provide an off ramp to a future that is not dependent on fossil fuels. We know what needs to be done. It's time we roll up our sleeves and do it," said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher.

"New Yorkers are feeling left out in the cold as they experience the rising costs of living. Fulfilling our neighbors' basic needs is under threat, as the Trump administration continues to hack away at our funding and resources. Today, we are taking a stance against the daily terror corporations and billionaires wage against everyday New Yorkers, charging more for less. Every New Yorker deserves affordable utilities and safe heating sources. Passing the NY HEAT Act will not only provide thousands of New Yorkers with long overdue relief, but will also push New York toward a greener and more sustainable path. We must fight for a better New York and planet. We implore Governor Hochul and our legislature to pass the full NY HEAT Act, now," said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.

"As energy costs continue to rise, we must take action to protect New Yorkers from unaffordable utility bills. The NY HEAT Act is crucial to ensuring that no household is burdened with excessive energy costs while advancing a fair and affordable transition to clean energy. I stand with advocates in supporting this critical consumer protection measure. By passing the NY HEAT Act, we can deliver real savings for working families and create a more just and sustainable energy system for all," said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

"1 in 7 households in the state is already behind on its energy bill, and the continuous expansion of the gas infrastructure is only going to make it worse. First, replacing a mile of gas pipe costs a ratepayer $60,000 on average, and second, the high cost of a new gas hook-up is subsidized by passing it to all ratepayers. It's time to pass the NY HEAT Act, which ends gas subsidies for a new hook up and instructs the PSC to come up with a plan on how to cap bills at 6% of the household's income-something they already said they would do, but they have not acted on yet. Requiring them to come up with a plan could include fixing existing energy affordability programs, where 1.1m New Yorkers who would qualify are still not enrolled. Doing so and helping new homes to electrify would be cheaper than subsidizing the gas infrastructure and ever-increasing arrears," said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha.

"My constituents need New York HEAT. We need relief from high utility costs. It is environmentally and financially unsustainable for utility companies to continue burdening ratepayers with the cost of repairing and expanding gas infrastructure when better alternatives exist. New York HEAT provides a path to an affordable, sustainable future by capping household utility bills and enabling us to move away from gas. Let's get this done ASAP!" said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.

"The NY HEAT Act is an essential step forward in the fight for a healthier environment, forging ahead in the name of New Yorkers' health and affordability, while leaving harmful fossil fuels behind us. By offering cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives to ratepayers, we simultaneously tackle both energy affordability and climate action. We all want our kids and grandkids to inherit a livable world, and it's our responsibility to make sure that happens," said Assemblymember Al Stirpe.

"The NY Heat Act is a critical step to phase out outdated gas infrastructure and significantly reduce fossil fuel emissions," said Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero (D,WF-Albany, Guilderland, New Scotland). "As we work to phase out fossil fuels by 2050, this legislation is an important step forward. I will keep fighting for measures that protect our planet and environment, especially the vulnerable populations that are disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change."

Background

The Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, also known as the NY HEAT Act, will reduce the expansion of New York's outdated and dangerous fracked gas system and save the 1 in 4 New Yorkers who struggle to pay their energy bills an average of $136 every month. The bill modernizes archaic state laws that force New Yorkers to pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year to subsidize new fracked gas hookups and pipelines. It would limit households' energy burdens and would allow utilities to provide cheaper and clean heating alternatives at no additional cost to customers – a win-win for New Yorkers and the environment.

The NY HEAT Act will also free New Yorkers from the gas mandate (also known as "the utility obligation to serve gas"), an antiquated state law that locks utilities, and consequently the vast majority of New Yorkers, into the dirty, expensive, aging gas system for heat. Because of the gas mandate, one home that wants to stay on the gas system can be the deciding factor for an entire neighborhood that would otherwise have the opportunity to receive cheaper, cleaner heating alternatives from their utility. The NY HEAT Act would require utilities to provide easy access to the most affordable and healthier heating options for their families.

According to a Siena Poll, New Yorkers agree by an overwhelming 58% to 26% that the legislature should pass the NY HEAT Act. Support for the NY HEAT Act is popular across party lines, with 67% of Democrats, 47% of Republicans, and 55% of independents agreeing it should pass. The bill is also popular with 60% of upstate voters, 55% of union households, and across income groups. 74% of Black voters and 70% of Latino voters also support the legislation. An even larger share, 51 - 17%, said that lawmakers did not do enough to improve the quality of life during last year's legislative session.

State action against climate change is crucial as Trump takes office and vows to go all-in on fossil fuels. 2024 was the hottest year on record, and New Yorkers experienced wildfires, flooding, and tornadoes. The NY HEAT Act will help New York fight climate change and it will protect New Yorkers from an unpredictable Trump administration by helping to stabilize heat and energy prices.

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