Assembly Members Urge Speaker Heastie, Gov. Hochul to Include Full NY HEAT Act in Final State Budget

Lawmakers from across NYS highlighted how NY HEAT Act could save struggling families $136/month on energy bills and address the climate crisis as NYers statewide cite cost of living as biggest concern; NY Senate has passed the bill, but Speaker Heastie and Gov. Hochul could greenlight massive rate hikes if they don't include the full bill in the final state budget

ALBANY, NY (04/02/2024) (readMedia)-- As New Yorkers push for legislation to address affordability this election season, environmental justice and climate action champions joined with lead NY HEAT Act Assembly sponsor Pat Fahy and Assembly Members Dana Levenberg and Jo Anne Simon to urge Albany leadership to include the NY HEAT Act (A4592-B / S2016-B) in the final state budget. The NY HEAT Act would protect New Yorkers from rising energy costs by harmonizing the utility obligation to serve fracked gas and other heating sources with the Climate Act to begin NYS's transition off of fossil fuels, avoiding billions of dollars in gas customer costs for new pipes, and would seek to limit household utility bills to 6% of a family's income.

Watch a recording of the event here.

"Individual New Yorkers and families are paying to build out an increasingly expensive gas system under the 100 foot rule, causing utility bills to rise at a time we should be aligning public service law with our nation-leading climate law and mandates. Regular New Yorkers who did not create the climate crisis should not be paying to shoulder the cost of our clean energy transition, and NY HEAT ensures that transition is affordable, reliable, and planned. This year, we can protect our planet and our pocketbooks by including the full NY HEAT Act in the final budget, and heed the call of New Yorkers everywhere who are asking us to take real climate action amidst increasingly expensive fossil fuel costs and extreme, climate-driven weather events," said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, Assembly sponsor of the NY HEAT Act.

"With gas utilities raising rates across the state in order to double down on outdated fossil gas infrastructure, it's never been clearer that the status quo is not only unsustainable, it's also unaffordable. Whether it's $200 million per year that ratepayers are forced to pay to subsidize gas expansion, $150 billion ratepayers will have to pay to fix leaky pipes, or the continually skyrocketing price of gas, the status quo is an albatross around New Yorkers' necks. New Yorkers deserve a break - and that's just what the NY HEAT Act will deliver," said Senator Liz Krueger, Senate sponsor of the NY HEAT Act.

"Being in the midst of both a climate crisis and an affordability crisis, the NY HEAT Act is a simple solution to both problems. As we approach the final days of budget negotiations, we need to ensure that all provisions are included in our final enacted budget, to achieve energy justice for all," said Assemblymember Steven Raga.

"Ensuring a sustainable future requires empowering New Yorkers through the HEAT Act. This legislation eliminates outdated subsidies to the oil and gas industry, paving the way for increased investments in renewable energy infrastructure. By capping utility bills at 6% of income for low- and middle-income New Yorkers, the NY HEAT Act promotes affordability and equity while facilitating a managed transition away from fossil fuels. This approach not only fosters access to clean energy but also enhances resilience and well-being across our communities. The passage of the NY HEAT Act this year is essential to our collective future. Given the dire state of climate change, we cannot afford inaction or delays. We need to use this momentum to move critical legislation like the NY HEAT Act through now," said Assemblymember Anna Kelles.

"New York has the most ambitious climate plan in the country. We need to do our utmost to carry it out. Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state – approximately one-third. Removing incentives for gas system expansion is a key component to reaching our goals, and this commonsense legislation will do so in an orderly and equitable manner," said Assemblymember Chris Burdick.

"I am honored to join my colleagues in advocating for the inclusion of the NY HEAT Act in the final state budget. In a time when New Yorkers face the dual challenges of affordability and climate change, this legislation offers a vital solution. By phasing out the use of fracked gas and capping household utility bills at 6% of income, the NY HEAT Act promises significant relief for struggling families while advancing our environmental goals. With widespread support in both chambers of the legislature and a clear mandate from constituents, I urge Governor Hochul and Speaker Heastie to seize this opportunity and ensure the full provisions of the NY HEAT Act are incorporated into the budget, demonstrating our commitment to a more sustainable and equitable future for all," said Assemblymember Al Taylor.

"The New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act will make it possible to transition to clean energy and it places a cap of 6% on household energy costs. We are working very hard to meet our CPCLC goals without burdening New Yorkers with increased costs. We encourage all New Yorkers to support these efforts," said Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman.

"My office has received many calls from constituents who are rightly upset about their ConEd bills. With energy costs going up by double digits, New Yorkers are struggling to pay their utility bills. We need the NY HEAT Act's 6% affordability cap included in the State budget, so that our residents are not forced to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table," said Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky.

A recent statewide report from WIN Climate and NY Renews estimated the NY HEAT Act could save the 25% of all households that struggle to afford their energy bills an average of $136 each month-cutting bills nearly in half.

Earlier today, lead Senate sponsor Liz Krueger of the NY HEAT Act separately appeared on The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss the NY HEAT Act and push against misinformation from utility providers.

Background

According to a recent Siena Poll, cost of living is the most important issue facing most New Yorkers this election season, while more than two-thirds of New Yorkers want to see bold action on climate change. Higher energy costs, caused by double-digit rate hikes from ConEd, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, National Fuel Gas, and O&R, are exacerbating the problem and forcing too many families to choose between heating and eating. New York lawmakers have an opportunity to protect families by passing the NY HEAT Act in the budget and putting a limit on household utility bills to 6% of a family's income.

The NY HEAT Act will curtail new investments in the dirty, outdated, fracked gas system to the tune of more than a billion dollars every year on the backs of utility bill payers, while accelerating fossil fuel-generated climate change that supercharges storms, floods, and wildfires and drives deadly extreme heat and cold. This bill amends the utilities' obligation to provide gas service to allow utilities to provide cheaper and clean heating alternatives at no cost to customers. In addition to cost savings detailed above, the bill 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.

In January, Governor Hochul included key provisions of the NY HEAT Act in her Executive Budget proposal. Last month, the Senate reaffirmed its support for the NY HEAT Act by passing the full bill, and for the first time, the NY HEAT Act has 76 sponsors in the Assembly-majority support in the chamber. It is a budget priority for the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus. Now, Governor Hochul and Assembly leadership have an unprecedented opportunity to pass legislation that would modernize New York's utility regulations and include critical language to save New Yorkers struggling to afford their heating bills more money for other crucial expenses.

About Better Buildings New York

BBNY is a coalition of organizations working for the equitable decarbonization of homes and buildings in New York State. We are committed to environmental justice and a just transition to all-electric homes and buildings.