Gov Hochul Offers More 'Thoughts and Prayers' Before Extreme Heat Wave

ALBANY, NY (07/26/2023) (readMedia)-- This Thursday through Saturday, a dangerous heat wave will hit New York, bringing temperatures in some areas above 100. Climate change-driven extreme heat, floods, and smoky skies have defined this summer across New York State, harming New Yorkers' health and livelihoods. Meanwhile, recently announced utility rate hikes mean New Yorkers will be paying even more to maintain the dirty fracked gas system causing climate change. It's only going to get worse unless New York gets off fossil fuels. Meanwhile Governor Hochul and the Assembly have still not committed to passing the NY HEAT Act to get New York off of fossil fuels.

"As unbreathable air, thousand year floods, and 100 degree heat waves become regular events for New Yorkers–and as scientists declare this the hottest month in human history with increased energy bills to match–it's clear our elected leaders must take major action to protect us from the climate crisis. Governor Hochul's standard warnings to 'stay hydrated,' and get used to this 'new normal' are nothing like the action we need. Instead of issuing words, we call on Governor Hochul and the Assembly to commit to passing the NY HEAT Act, which will get us off the dirty fracked gas system that's driving climate change, and save low and middle income New Yorkers up to $75 every month on their energy bills. New Yorkers cannot keep pouring our money into the wealthy fossil-fuel companies destroying our lives," said Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy, a member group of Better Buildings NY.

According to new research in the New York Times, heat waves like this across the United States would have been 'virtually impossible' without the influence of human-caused climate change. Heat kills about 350 New Yorkers each year, with Black New Yorkers more than twice as likely to die from heat as white residents. This number will likely rise as climate change worsens.

Earlier this month, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha held a press conference at the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station, demanding the Assembly pass the NY HEAT Act following the devastating flooding in the Hudson Valley. The torrential rainfall with 9 inches of rain in over 24 hours killed an Orange County resident. It also knocked out Amtrak and Metro North service for three days and completely washed away highways, making it impossible for people to get to work. The damage from the flooding is estimated to cost New Yorkers over $35 million.

The NY HEAT Act would accelerate New York's transition off the climate-killing fossil fuels that increase greenhouse gas emissions and cause public health and environmental crises like extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire smoke. It would also save low and middle income families money – up to $75/month – on their energy bills by capping them at 6% of income. That's significant savings for families that already spend three times more of their income on energy bills than other households. The bill would save all New Yorkers $200 million annually by ending the 100-foot rule, which forces every day New Yorkers to subsidize the expansion of the gas system.

NY HEAT would also redirect money that would otherwise be spent on replacing old gas pipes that will become obsolete well before they're paid off by ratepayers. Up to $150 billion of New Yorkers' money would instead go toward neighborhood-scale, clean electrification projects to make homes healthier and more comfortable. In fact, a new report from the Building Decarbonization Coalition shows that as New York electrifies heating and hot water, families who are left behind on the gas system could see their gas bills rise by thousands of dollars if we don't pass NY HEAT.

Governor Hochul and the Assembly left Albany earlier this summer – the same week the sky turned orange – with the NY HEAT Act still on the table. The bill passed the Senate and already has 65 co-sponsors in the Assembly.

The 2023 executive budget included the first-in-the-nation All Electric Building Act, which will require new buildings in New York to use efficient, electric heating and appliances starting in 2026. But the work to clean up our buildings and save New York families money is not complete without NY HEAT. This bill would lay the legal and regulatory foundation for an affordable transition off fossil/methane gas as recommended in the state's Climate Action Scoping Plan. To reach New York's climate goals, and dramatically reduce air pollution, the state needs to electrify nearly all buildings by 2050.

??Background

A report from the Building Decarbonization Coalition finds that every new mile of a gas pipeline costs customers an average of $6 million - that's $60,000 per customer on that line! But a new memo from Alliance for a Green Economy shows how NY HEAT would redirect money NYS is already spending on costly gas investments toward climate-friendly solutions, while saving money for hardworking New Yorkers.

In 2022, NY HEAT (formerly known as the Gas Transition and Affordable Energy Act) enjoyed support from Governor Hochul, Senate leadership and environmental groups, but a campaign financed by the fossil fuel industry that spread disinformation and lies derailed the bill. The industry set up a front group called New Yorkers for Affordable Energy to preserve the status quo. A report from Little Sis reviewed the organization's tax filings which show that its mission is "to expand natural gas service." The group is meant to have the appearance of a grassroots coalition, but it was founded and is run by fossil fuel executives. From the report: "The coalition is backed by a range of fossil fuel companies and lobbying groups, including utility companies National Fuel and National Grid; pipeline companies Williams, Enbridge, and Millennium Pipeline; and the American Petroleum Institute. Other backers include corporate lobbying groups like the Business Council of New York State, regional chambers of commerce like the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and fossil fuel industry trade groups like Independent Power Producers of New York and Energy Coalition New York."

Nationwide, the fossil fuel industry is still heavily involved in misinformation efforts against necessary legislation like this. The New York Times reported recently about the Propane Education Research Council sponsoring HGTV star Matt Blashaw. Blashaw calls propane - which contributes to climate change and is the most expensive heating fuel- "an energy source for everyone."

About Better Buildings New York (BBNY)

BBNY is a network 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.

*$75/month savings calculated using 9.3% average energy burden in the NYC metro area for low-income families and 200% of the federal poverty level income of $27,180 for a one person household.