Hudson Valley Lawmakers To Urge Governor Hochul To Repeal 100-Foot Rule!

KINGSTON, NY (10/30/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and Kingston Mayor Steve Noble joined Hudson Valley advocates to urge Governor Hochul to sign legislation to repeal the "100-foot rule." In June, Albany lawmakers voted to repeal the 100-foot rule and end the outdated subsidy that allows utilities to make New Yorkers pay for nearly $600 million on new gas hookups every year to expand the polluting gas system. By signing this legislation, Governor Hochul can rein in utilities taking advantage of New Yorkers and sign the only major climate bill on her desk to help address New York's climate and energy affordability crises.

Even as more families struggle to afford their energy bills, Central Hudson and other utilities across the state are continuing to raise rates on New Yorkers so they can build new gas pipes and bring in record profits. Ending the 100-foot rule would stop utilities from saddling New Yorkers with millions to expand the system that is already unaffordable for too many families - and enable utilities to invest instead in cleaner, more affordable energy as required by New York's landmark Climate Law.

Watch a recording of the event here.

View images from the event here.

"Almost a quarter of adults in the country cannot pay their power bills, and in the state of New York, that story is the same. Utility bills are too high, housing costs too high, childcare costs are too high, healthcare costs are too high. This year, the New York legislature has already spoken: existing utility customers shouldn't have to subsidize the expansion of an unnecessary gas hook-up for a new customer, at a time when the cost of the gas infrastructure is already driving up rates, and the chances of these assets becoming costly stranded assets are higher than never. It's time for the Governor to demonstrate that she can lead the state out of its multi-faceted affordability crisis, with the energy crisis right at its core. She can begin today by signing the end of the so-called 100-ft rule into law," said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha.

"The antiquated 100-foot rule in Public Service Law undermines our County's and our State's energy affordability and climate goals, and needs to be repealed," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "Ratepayers should not be made to subsidize expansion of the gas system and utility profits on that expansion, and I strongly urge the Governor to sign this common-sense legislation as soon as possible."

"The City of Kingston and its community members have continued to chart a path toward a sustainable, all-electric future. With this bill, Governor Hochul has the opportunity to ensure our residents aren't charged for expanding natural gas infrastructure in our region. Signing this bill would further and advance New York State's leadership on climate and electrification," said Kingston Mayor Steve Noble.

Even as more families struggle to afford their energy bills, utilities across the state are continuing to raise rates on New Yorkers so they can expand the gas system and bring in record profits. Repealing the 100-foot rule would stop utilities from saddling New Yorkers with millions to expand the system that is already unaffordable for too many families - and enable utilities to invest instead in a cleaner, more affordable energy future.

Last month, more than 50 state lawmakers signed a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to pass the 100-foot rule and protect their constituents from utilities. In the letter, lawmakers wrote, "New Yorkers should not be paying millions to companies that are abusing outdated laws in order to bring in record profits." The letter followed a similar effort from over 60 local elected officials who sent their own letter to the Governor urging her to pass the 100-foot rule and protect their constituents from utilities.

"At For the Many, we talk to our neighbors throughout the Hudson Valley every day and we keep hearing one thing: utility rates are struggling to pay their bills and they are only getting worse. Governor Hochul has recently been lamenting that she hears the same thing from New Yorkers, as if she can't do anything about it. But she can. Right now, Governor Hochul could sign a bill repealing the outdated 100 foot rule and save New Yorkers an average of $600 million per year," said Xaver Kandler, Political Director at For the Many, the Hudson Valley's fastest growing grassroots organization. "The only question is, will Governor Hochul choose relief for working families or utility company profits?"

"Access to affordable, clean energy is essential to ensuring safe and stable housing for all New Yorkers. Repealing the 100-foot rule represents a critical step forward in addressing energy affordability while advancing the fight against climate change. At RUPCO, we see firsthand how high utility costs burden families, and we urge Governor Hochul to sign this legislation to bring much-needed relief to our communities and pave the way for a more sustainable future," said Kevin O'Connor, Executive Director of RUPCO.

"College students are very familiar with the cost of living crisis here in Hudson Valley, between paying for school, textbooks, rent, and of course, utility bills. And nothing's getting cheaper. Just this summer, New York State approved more rate increases that will raise bills even higher for families just like mine," said Jordan Brown, SUNY New Paltz student and intern with NYPIRG. "It's more important than ever that New York does everything we can to prevent climate catastrophe AND make New York more affordable for us -- and that means getting off of fossil fuels. Repealing the 100-Foot Rule will curb skyrocketing utility bills, reduce gas demand, and make it easier for utilities to transition to a clean energy future that's better for our health and our wallets, ultimately making it easier to pay for college. This is an easy, obvious stand that the Governor can take right now; Governor Hochul, we need you to sign the 100 foot rule bill."

Background

As the cost of building and maintaining our aging gas infrastructure continues to rise, utilities across the state have raised rates to pass those costs onto customers and keep us hooked on a fracked gas system that is already unaffordable. Since 2022, every major New York gas utility has raised costs on consumers, causing more than 1.2 million families to fall behind on their energy bills.

Today, 1 in 4 New York households cannot afford their energy bills, according to an estimate from the Alliance for a Green Economy. At the same time, the Trump administration has cut LIHEAP, a crucial energy assistance program which New York relies on more than any other state, and suspended the federal Weatherization Assistance Program - both of which help fill the gaps and reduce energy costs for low-income households.

As energy bills continue to rise across the country, other states are considering ending similar subsidies for gas utilities. Last month, Massachusetts state regulators issued an order to end their own version of the 100-foot rule, joining California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Maryland as the first states to repeal outdated gas mandates that cost ratepayers more money.