Governor Hochul's Moment to Lead on Energy Costs and Climate

ALBANY, NY (11/06/2024) (readMedia)-- Today, climate activists are calling on Governor Hochul to lead the nation on climate – starting with the NY HEAT Act.

"Now more than ever we need Governor Hochul to make New York a leader on energy affordability and climate, and that starts with her getting the NY HEAT Act passed in the 2025 budget. With an incoming administration that has a history of protecting polluters over families that have to choose between eating and heating, New York must take us forward, not backward. If Governor Hochul intends for New York to be a beacon of hope and progress as she says, we need her to go beyond words to action," said Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy, and Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate at Earthjustice.

Background

Despite lawmakers' failure to pass the bill last session, the NY HEAT Act has support across the legislature. Governor Hochul embraced key parts of the NY HEAT Act in her Executive Budget proposal, the Senate passed the bill twice, and the bill has support from a majority of Assemblymembers.

The Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, also known as the NY HEAT Act, will stop the expansion of New York's outdated and dangerous fracked gas system. The bill removes the 100-foot rule, which forces New York families to pay $200 million every year to subsidize new gas hookups, and amends the obligation to serve fracked gas. The bill would allow utilities to provide cheaper and clean heating alternatives at no additional cost to customers – a win-win for New Yorkers and the environment.

The NY HEAT Act is popular across party lines, with 67% of democrats, 47% of republicans, and 55% of independents agreeing it should have passed. It was also popular with 60% of upstate voters, 55% of union households, and across income groups. 74% of Black voters and 70% of Latino voters also wanted it to pass.