After NYSEG & RG&E Hike Prices, Lawmakers & Advocates Demand Gov Hochul Pass NY HEAT to Protect NYers' Wallets

ALBANY, NY (10/26/2023) (readMedia)-- Lawmakers and advocates will hold a virtual press conference demanding Governor Hochul stay true to her promise to prioritize energy affordability after allowing electric and gas utilities to increase rates. The NYS Public Service Commission recently approved huge NYSEG & RG&E rate hikes, which could cost customers up to $40 every month by 2026.

The group will demand Gov Hochul to include the NY HEAT Act in next year's budget to relieve the wallets of already struggling NYers.The NY HEAT Act, which gained serious momentum during Albany's 2023 legislative session and passed the NYS Senate, will stop expansion of the fracked gas system to protect the climate, and reduce future rate increases, while limiting energy bills to 6% of household income, saving low and middle income New Yorkers up to $75/month on their utility bills. On top of the $75 monthly savings, NY HEAT gets rid of the unfair 100-foot rule, which forces New York families to subsidize new gas hookups to the tune of $200 million every year while accelerating fossil fuel generated climate change that supercharges storms, turned the sky orange and the air toxic from the wildfires this spring, and drives extreme heat.