As Winter Begins, Rochester Electeds Call on Gov. Hochul to Protect Utility Customers, Pass NY HEAT

ROCHESTER, NY (12/19/2023) (readMedia)-- As gas bills rise and cold weather intensifies, Rochester lawmakers, social justice advocates, and climate organizers rallied this afternoon to call on Governor Hochul to protect utility customers. New Yorkers are being hammered by rate hikes in Rochester and across the state, but Governor Hochul can commit to including the top-priority NY HEAT Act in next year's budget to protect utility customers.

Watch the rally here.

The group highlighted recent RG&E rate hikes, which will cost customers, on average, $33 more every month on their gas and electric bills. But the NY HEAT Act will reduce future rate increases while limiting energy bills specifically for low- and middle-income consumers, saving them up to $75 per month.

"New York must do more if we are to be a climate action leader. Utility companies across the state pass the cost of expansion on to customers, even as demand is dropping, while raising rates on those who may already struggle to pay for their own service. The NY HEAT Act would cap energy costs at 6% of a customer's income, while also helping transition New York onto efficient and sustainable sources of energy for the future. I'm proud to co-sponsor the NY HEAT Act and help make our climate goals a reality," said Assemblymember Sarah Clark.

"Now more than never, New Yorkers need protection from rising energy bills," said Senator Jeremy Cooney. "It's time to pass the NY HEAT Act to ensure affordable and energy-efficient heating for New York's families. I'm proud to co-sponsor this bill that would cap utility rates and move us closer to our state climate justice goals."

"With the winter months rapidly approaching, it is imperative that Governor Hochul sign the NY Heat Act into law to protect all New York residents from rising energy bills. Having a rate cap is necessary to keep our most vulnerable residents from having to choose between heating or feeding their families during the winter months. Along with 75 of my colleagues, I am a co-sponsor of this bill to ensure all residents can obtain affordable and energy-efficient heating. By supporting the NY Heat Act, we will lay the foundation for a more sustainable and equitable energy future for New York," said Assemblyman Demond Meeks.

"Inflation coupled with the rising cost of energy is squeezing New Yorker's wallets and placing an increasing number of people in the position of having to make sacrifices in order to keep their families warm throughout the winter. Capping utility bills at rates reasonably proportionate to income will ensure that heating your home doesn't become a luxury good, and that consumers are not being unfairly charged for the expansion of climate-harming pipelines. It is important that we pass the NY HEAT Act in this year's state budget and align our state's regulation and oversight of gas utilities with carbon emission reduction and energy equity requirements," said Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson.

We cannot continue burdening our residents with the costs of a system that not only endangers lives but also exacerbates the climate crisis," said Rochester City Councilmember and Vice President Mary Lupien. "I urge Governor Hochul to make a steadfast commitment to include the NY HEAT Act in the upcoming executive budget and on the Assembly to pledge their commitment to pass this crucial legislation."

"Governor Hochul says she's committed to energy affordability, but she's letting energy and gas utilities across the state – including here in Rochester – jack up their prices. For many struggling Rochester families, $33 every month means having to choose between staying safe and warm on freezing winter nights, and putting dinner on the table. If Governor Hochul is really committed to energy affordability like she says she is, she'll commit now to putting the NY HEAT Act in next year's budget," said Clare Henrie, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Climate Solutions Accelerator.

"A critical provision of NY HEAT will ensure that low to moderate income customers are adequately protected from paying more than 6% of their income for energy – including to purchase items like heat pumps to address the climate crisis, while making our homes safer and healthier," said Rosemary Rivera, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York. "The 6% affordability provision is critical for Rochester, as Rochester has among the highest poverty rates of large cities in the nation, and numerous people here are facing shut offs of their electric and gas service as we head into winter. We must make green energy affordable for everyone, and NY HEAT is a major step in that direction."

BACKGROUND

The NY HEAT Act, which passed the NYS Senate during Albany's 2023 legislative session and has 75 sponsors in the NYS Assembly, will provide much needed relief to New Yorkers struggling to pay their energy bills by reducing future rate increases while limiting energy bills to 6% of household income. The legislation is expected to save low and middle-income New Yorkers up to $75/month on their energy bills and would end the state's arcane 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.

The NY HEAT Act will also halt the expansion of New York's fracked gas system and allow utilities to redirect more than $150 billion from planned gas pipe replacements over the next 20 years and instead invest in building electrification that will lessen the impact of volatile price spikes caused by fossil fuels on New Yorkers.

Groups sponsoring the event include Climate Solutions Accelerator and Citizen Action of New York.