Advocates Urge Albany to Pass NY HEAT Act as National Grid Proposes 30% Delivery Rate Increase Upstate

ALBANY, NY (05/29/2024) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, National Grid proposed a plan to increase gas delivery rates for upstate customers by nearly 30%, which would force the average upstate resident to pay $18 more each month for gas. In response, the Better Buildings New York coalition issued the following statement:

"It's outrageous that everyday families would be asked to pay $18 more every month for gas pipelines when so many are struggling to make ends meet and when our Climate Act requires us to move off fossil fuels. Albany lawmakers need to act now to pass the NY HEAT Act, which would save families money and protect them from future rate increases caused by unnecessary investments in outdated fossil fuel infrastructure. Further delay is unacceptable," said Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE).

National Grid's rate hike proposal comes the same day that the Buffalo News editorialized in favor of the NY HEAT Act and urged state lawmakers to pass the bill this session.

Background

According to a recent Siena Poll, cost of living is the single most important issue facing most New Yorkers this election season. A previous Siena Poll found that 8 in 10 New Yorkers statewide agree the high cost of living in New York is a major problem, and double-digit rate hikes from National Grid, as well as ConEd, RG&E, NYSEG, National Fuel Gas, Central Hudson, and O&R have only exacerbated the already high cost of living.

The NY HEAT Act, which stands for Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, would address this issue. According to a statewide report from WIN Climate and NY Renews, the NY HEAT Act would save the 25% of all households that struggle to afford their energy bills an average of $136 each month-cutting bills nearly in half. In Onondaga County, which would be impacted by National Grid's rate increase proposal, the NY HEAT Act would save 23% of residents an average of $120 per month. In Albany County, where National Grid's plan would also raise rates, the NY HEAT Act would save the 19% of energy burdened residents an average of $114 per month.

Governor Hochul embraced key parts of the NY HEAT Act in her Executive Budget proposal, and the Senate passed the bill twice. Despite the actions of Assembly leadership, the legislation has support from a majority of Assemblymembers. Advocates are now urging lawmakers to pressure Assembly leadership to pass the full bill before the end of this year's session.