ICYMI: UPSTATE ASSEMBLYMEMBERS URGE LEADERSHIP TO PASS NY HEAT ACT

ALBANY, NY (04/15/2025) (readMedia)-- As the Assembly considers passing the NY HEAT Act in this year's budget, Assemblymembers Harry Bronson and Al Stirpe issued the following statements:

"National Fuel, a fracking company, is trying to block the NY HEAT Act by spreading false claims that it will hurt upstate New Yorkers. It won't. This isn't an upstate versus downstate issue, it's one fracking company desperately trying to protect its profits at the expense of New Yorkers across the state who could save money every month on their monthly energy bills. The Rochester residents who need it most will save an average of $125 every month with the NY HEAT Act! It's time to deliver for our constituents and pass the NY HEAT Act in the budget," said Assemblymember Harry Bronson.

"As an upstate lawmaker, I refuse to sit by while National Fuel attempts to pit our communities against each other. The NY HEAT Act isn't an upstate vs. downstate issue - it's a fight between New Yorkers who need relief on their energy bills, and a fracking company that wants to keep profiting off of them. We can't help families in need until we do something to actually lower their bills, and the NY HEAT Act is how we get it done for all New Yorkers. In Syracuse, the families who can't afford their energy bills would save $120 every month! It's time to pass the NY HEAT Act in the budget," said Assemblymember Al Stirpe.

Background

As of September 2024, approximately 1 in 7 households in New York was two months or more behind on their energy bills. This crisis is impacting more than 1.2 million families, who are collectively in debt more than $1.3 billion dollars to utilities. According to a recent report from AGREE, since 2022, every major gas utility in New York State has raised the cost of energy for their customers:

• For Con Edison customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by nearly $50 since 2022 - from $205 to $253.
• For National Grid customers in NYC, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by more than $60 between 2023 and 2026 - from $110 to $172. For National Grid customers in Long Island, the average monthly cost of gas heating will increase by nearly the same amount - from $105 to $165.
• For Central Hudson customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased more than $20 since 2022- from $138 to $157.
• For National Fuel Gas customers, the average monthly cost of gas heating has increased by nearly $15 - from $81 to $94 - since just 2023.

The Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, also known as the NY HEAT Act, will reduce the expansion of New York's outdated and dangerous fracked gas system and save the 1 in 4 New Yorkers who struggle to pay their energy bills an average of $136 every month. The bill modernizes archaic state laws that force New Yorkers to pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year to subsidize new fracked gas hookups and pipelines. It would limit households' energy burdens and 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 will also free New Yorkers from the gas mandate (also known as "the utility obligation to serve gas"), an antiquated state law that locks utilities, and consequently the vast majority of New Yorkers, into the dirty, expensive, aging gas system for heat. Because of the gas mandate, one home that wants to stay on the gas system can be the deciding factor for an entire neighborhood that would otherwise have the opportunity to receive cheaper, cleaner heating alternatives from their utility. The NY HEAT Act would require utilities to provide easy access to the most affordable and healthier heating options for their families.

According to a Siena Poll, New Yorkers agree by an overwhelming 58% to 26% that the legislature should pass the NY HEAT Act. Support for the NY HEAT Act is popular across party lines, with 67% of Democrats, 47% of Republicans, and 55% of independents agreeing it should pass. The bill is 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 support the legislation. An even larger share, 51 - 17%, said that lawmakers did not do enough to improve the quality of life during last year's legislative session.

State action against climate change is crucial as Trump takes office and vows to go all-in on fossil fuels. 2024 was the hottest year on record, and New Yorkers experienced wildfires, flooding, and tornadoes. The NY HEAT Act will help New York fight climate change and it will protect New Yorkers from an unpredictable Trump administration by helping to stabilize heat and energy prices.