It's A Hot, Broke, Smoky Summer; Senator Liz Krueger + Advocates Demand NY HEAT Act Now!

NEW YORK, NY (07/24/2023) (readMedia)-- Last week, smoke from the Canadian wildfires again filled our skies, forcing New Yorkers to breathe poisonous air even inside their homes. 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. It's only going to get worse unless New York gets off fossil fuels.

Senator Liz Krueger and advocates held a press conference and called on the Assembly to commit to passing the NY HEAT Act, and pushed Governor Hochul to include the bill in her executive budget.

Watch the press conference here

"Continuing to expand the fossil gas system in New York State is not only unsustainable, it's unaffordable, and it is driving rate increases across our state. 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. I am proud the State Senate passed the NY HEAT Act to enable a careful and strategic accelerated transition off of fossil fuels that will protect workers, consumers, and the environment. The extreme heat, devastating flooding, and toxic air we're experiencing this summer should be more than the wake-up call needed to convince the Assembly and Governor that it's time to pass NY HEAT and give New Yorkers a break," said Senator Liz Krueger, Lead Sponsor of The NY HEAT Act.

"In the past month alone, New Yorkers have suffered through unbreathable smoke-filled air, '1,000-year' flooding, and extreme heat driving up our energy bills. Climate change is here, it is undeniable, and it is making our lives miserable. Yet, Governor Hochul has simply offered warnings to 'stay safe,' and get used to this 'new normal.' This is not even close to what we expect from our elected leaders. We call on Governor Hochul and the Assembly to commit now to passing the NY HEAT Act, which will get us off the dirty fracked gas system that's driving climate change and save low income New Yorkers up to $75 every month on their energy bills. We can't afford to keep pouring 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.

"Extreme heat and weather have killed more New Yorkers in the past few years than ever before, and communities of color - who often struggle with utility debt - bear the brunt of it. And now, ConEd is raising energy bills even higher, which means the people suffering the most from super storms, flooding, toxic air and heat will pay even more to maintain the system that's putting their lives at risk. It's unacceptable. We urge Governor Hochul to put the NY HEAT Act in the 2024 executive budget, and urge the Assembly to pass the bill. Albany can either save lives and save money for the people who need it most, or they can stand with the fossil fuel companies who are reaping record profits while our planet burns," said Sonal Jessel, Policy Director at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

Last week, 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 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.

"Affordable energy is a basic necessity, not a luxury, for every family. As utility rates soar, it's time to take action and make energy truly accessible to all. Passing the NY HEAT ACT is essential; it will save money for low- and middle-income families, provide relief from high gas prices, and create a fair and equitable energy system. By transitioning away from climate-harming fossil fuels, NY HEAT empowers hardworking New Yorkers and safeguards both our environment and pocketbooks," said Senator Robert Jackson.

NY State Senator John Liu stated, "In the span of just a few days, New Yorkers went from choking on toxic fumes from Canadian wildfires to having our homes and communities swamped from flash flooding. Climate change is here to stay, but the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act will put us on the path to resiliency while simultaneously saving at the bank. Let's stop burying our heads in the sand and pass this legislation that will fight climate change by reducing our reliance on harmful fossil fuels."

Senator Luis Sepulveda said "This year I was most pleased to join NYS Senator Liz Krueger in co-sponsoring the NY Heat Act. As a longstanding environmentalist, I recognize the devastating effect that burning fossil fuels has had on our climate. If anyone has any lingering doubt, they need only open their eyes to the devastating weather effects we have suffered nationwide and locally here in the Northeast.

The bill would put the climate goals mandated in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) into public service law and provide increased oversight of gas utilities to meet those benchmarks by the Public Service Commission. Further, it removes the legal basis and subsidies driving gas expansion and requires decarbonizing and right sizing the industry in an affordable manner prioritizing the needs of low-income customers and disadvantaged communities. I urge my colleagues in the State Assembly to pass this legislation with all deliberate speed."

"New York's hot, expensive summer has included record-setting temperatures, more expensive energy bills, dangerous air quality, and flooding so severe it left people stranded by train and car for days – and it will only continue in years to come without climate action. The NYHEAT Act is the solution New Yorkers need Governor Hochul and Assembly Speaker Heastie to commit to passing without delay. Saving everyday people $75 per month off their energy bills, while providing the state with the tools it needs to move away from the increasingly expensive gas system is a no-brainer and must be a priority for the 2024 legislative session," said Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate for Earthjustice.

??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.